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How Often to Book Professional Cleaning Services in Kajang, Malaysia

How Often to Book Professional Cleaning Services in Kajang, Malaysia

Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is essential for our health and well-being. It is important to know how often to book professional cleaning services

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How Often to Book Professional Cleaning Services in Kajang, Malaysia

How Often to Book Professional Cleaning Services in Kajang, Malaysia

Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is essential for our health and well-being. It is…
Quality House Cleaning Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Characteristics of a Quality House Cleaning Service in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Why do homeowners hire a professional house cleaning service instead of cleaning their house themselves?…
Traveling

Reasons Why Traveling is the Ultimate Hobby

Many people consider traveling to be the top hobby because it combines thrilling experiences with…

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How Often to Book Professional Cleaning Services in Kajang, Malaysia

Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is essential for our health and well-being. It is important to know how often to book professional cleaning services in Kajang, Malaysia. While we may be able to keep our homes or offices tidy by ourselves, it is often challenging to achieve the level of cleanliness that a professional cleaning service in Kajang can provide.

Professional cleaners have the expertise, tools, and products to remove dirt, debris, and germs from every nook and cranny in your space. Not only does hiring a professional cleaning service help improve the aesthetic appeal of your home or office, but it also promotes good health.

A professionally cleaned space reduces exposure to allergens, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful pathogens that can cause infections or respiratory issues. Regular cleaning also helps prolong the life of surfaces and furniture by preventing the buildup of dirt and grime that can cause discolouration or scratches.

How Often To Book Professional Cleaning Services Kajang

Factors That Determine How Often You Should Book Cleaning Services

The frequency at which you should book professional cleaning services depends on several factors. The size of your home or office space is one such factor that determines how often you need cleaning services. Large spaces require more frequent cleaning than small spaces since they accumulate more dust and dirt.

Another factor is the frequency of use of the space. A frequently used area, like a living room, would require more regular cleaning than a guest bedroom that sees less traffic.

If you have pets or children in your household, then you may need more frequent cleaning since they tend to leave behind messes. Personal preferences and lifestyle choices also play a role in determining how often you should book professional cleaners.

Some people prefer to maintain their homes with regular cleanings every week, while others might opt for bi-weekly or monthly cleanings, depending on their schedule. Considering these various factors can help determine how frequent your professional cleaning services should be scheduled for optimal results.

Factors to Consider When Deciding How Often to Book Professional Cleaning Services

When deciding how often to book professional cleaning services, there are several factors you need to consider. These factors include the size and layout of your home or office, the frequency of use and foot traffic in the space, the presence of pets or children, and personal preferences and lifestyle.

Size and layout of your home or office

The size and layout of your home or office play a significant role in determining how often you should book professional cleaning services. Larger spaces will generally require more frequent cleaning than smaller ones. For example, if you have a large house with multiple bedrooms, living areas, and bathrooms, you may need cleaning services more frequently than someone who lives in a small apartment.

Additionally, the layout of your space can affect how often you need cleaning services. If you have open-concept living areas with lots of foot traffic, these areas may require more frequent cleaning than rooms that are rarely used.

Frequency of use and foot traffic in the space

The frequency of use and foot traffic in a space is another critical factor when determining how often to book professional cleaning services. High-traffic areas will naturally accumulate more dirt and debris than those that are rarely used.

For example, if you have children who frequently play on the carpeted floors in your living room or dining area, these areas may require more frequent deep cleanings than other parts of your home. Similarly, if you run a busy office with many employees coming in and out throughout the day, regular cleanings will be necessary to ensure that the space remains sanitary.

Presence of pets or children

Another factor that can impact how often you need professional cleaning services is whether or not you have pets or children. Pets can shed hair and dander throughout your home that requires deep cleaning.

Children can be messy and create more dirt and grime than adults. If you have pets or children, you may need to book cleaning services more frequently to keep your home or office clean and hygienic.

Personal preferences and lifestyle

Personal preferences and lifestyle can also play a role in how often you should book professional cleaning services. If you are someone who values cleanliness above all else, you may prefer to have your home or office cleaned more frequently than someone who is less concerned about the appearance of their space. Similarly, if your lifestyle is busy and hectic, with little time to devote to cleaning chores, booking regular professional cleaning services can help alleviate some of the stress associated with maintaining a clean living or work space.

Professional Cleaning Services Kajang Malaysia

High-Level Overview of Recommended Cleaning Frequencies for Different Spaces

Cleaning frequency varies from home to home and business to business, depending on the size, layout, usage, and other factors. Here is a high-level overview of recommended cleaning frequencies for different spaces:

Residential Homes

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are spaces that are relatively low-traffic areas but can accumulate dust and dirt over time. It is recommended that you deep clean your bedroom at least once a month. This includes dusting all surfaces like nightstands, dressers, lamps, fans, and baseboards thoroughly with microfiber or other electrostatic cloths.

Vacuuming or sweeping the floors rugs should also be done regularly. Additionally, washing beddings and linens in hot water every two week,s including pillow covers.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms tend to accumulate a lot of moisture, which can lead to mold growth and other unsanitary conditions. Therefore, bathrooms must be cleaned more frequently than any other room in the house. The bathroom toilet bowl requires thorough cleaning at least twice per week with a disinfectant toilet cleaner, while bathroom floors, bathtubs/showers should be cleaned once weekly with warm soapy water or tile cleaner plus regular wiping down of mirrors, faucets and sink with disinfectant wipes.

Living Areas

Living areas such as living rooms or family rooms are high-traffic areas, as most people spend their free time there. Dusting should be done weekly on all surfaces, including upholstery furniture such as sofas/chair,s using microfiber cloths or an electrostatic mop. Vacuuming carpets also needs to be done weekly along with removing debris from furniture crevices/between furniture using a vacuum cleaner attachment

Kitchen

The kitchen is an essential part of any household where hygiene is of the utmost importance. It is recommended that you deep clean your kitchen every other month while wiping down the countertops, stovetops and sinks with warm water daily after use. Appliances such as microwaves, ovens, fridges and dishwashers need to be wiped down monthly.

Other areas (e.g., basement, garage)

Areas such as the basement or garage may not require cleaning as often in comparison to other rooms in the house but still need a deep cleaning every few months. The frequency of cleaning largely depends on how frequently they are used.

Commercial Spaces

Office Buildings

Office buildings should be cleaned daily since they are high-traffic areas and tend to accumulate dust and dirt quickly. Daily cleaning should include vacuuming or mopping floors, wiping down surfaces like desks/tables/chairs with disinfectant wipes/solution plus taking out trash.

Restaurants

Restaurants require more frequent cleaning than any other commercial space due to health concerns from customers getting sick from foodborne illnesses. Daily deep-cleaning of surfaces like workstations of chefs, counter tops for servers, and dining tables is essential, with regular mopping of floors plus proper trash disposal should be done daily too.

Retail Stores

Retail stores also require daily cleaning just like office buildings since they are high-traffic areas where shoppers can bring dirt from outside into the store. Cleaning should include vacuuming or sweeping floors, wiping down display cases/shelves/dressing rooms regularly to prevent dust build-up and regular garbage disposal.

Deep Cleaning vs Regular Cleaning: What’s the Difference?

Regular cleaning typically involves vacuuming and dusting surfaces, wiping down countertops, cleaning bathrooms, and mopping floors. It is recommended that households perform regular cleanings every two weeks. On the other hand, deep cleaning involves a thorough cleaning of all areas in the home or office that are not typically cleaned during regular maintenance.

This includes baseboards and molding, blinds or curtains, light fixtures and fans, appliances, and other hard-to-reach areas. Deep cleaning is recommended at least once a year.

While regular cleaning is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy living space, deep cleaning serves as an excellent way to remove built-up dirt and bacteria from your home or office space. Not only does it help to improve air quality by eliminating dust particles, but it also helps ensure that your living space remains hygienic.

Cleaning Frequency for People with Allergies or Respiratory Issues

People with allergies or respiratory issues require more frequent professional cleanings to maintain good health since they are more susceptible to airborne irritants such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. Professional cleaners can help reduce allergens in your home by using HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters when vacuuming carpets and upholstery.

For those who suffer from allergies or respiratory issues such as asthma or bronchitis alike should consider scheduling professional cleanings every three months instead of every six months as recommended for those without these medical conditions. In between professional cleanings, vacuuming should occur twice per week at minimum which can be done on your own on a regular basis.

Cleaning Frequency for Households with Pets

Pets can bring joy into our lives but they also bring pet hair, odors, and dander into our homes. Professional cleaners will target the areas where pets tend to spend most of their time and focus on removing pet hair.

They will also use cleaning agents that are safe for pets to ensure your furry friends aren’t exposed to harmful chemicals. It is recommended that households with pets schedule professional cleaning services every three months.

However, if you have multiple pets or one that sheds excessively, you may need more frequent cleanings. In between professional cleanings, regular vacuuming should be done at least once a week.

Cleaning Frequency for Households with Children

Children tend to bring a lot of dirt and mess into our homes; therefore, it is essential to maintain a clean living space when children are present. Professional cleaners can help keep your home sanitized by using environmentally-friendly cleaning products that are safe for children. It is recommended that households with children schedule professional cleaning services every three months.

In between professional cleanings, basic cleaning tasks such as vacuuming and wiping down surfaces should occur weekly while deep-cleaning tasks like washing curtains or carpets should occur annually or twice yearly, depending on use frequency. It’s also important to teach your kids the importance of maintaining cleanliness in the home environment too!

Rarely Known Small Details About

The Importance of Using Green Cleaning Products

Many people do not realize the importance of using green cleaning products when booking professional cleaning services. Traditional cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals that can be dangerous to your health and the environment. Green cleaning products, on the other hand, are made with natural ingredients and are free from harsh chemicals.

They are safe to use around children and pets and do not have any negative impact on the environment. When booking professional cleaning services, it’s essential to ask if they use green cleaning products.

How Often You Should Clean Your Carpets

Carpet cleaning is often overlooked when booking professional cleaning services. However, carpets can harbor dirt, dust mites, bacteria, and other allergens that can affect your health if left uncleaned for too long. Experts recommend having your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year or more frequently if you have pets or children in your household.

The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

Air ducts play a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality. However, they can also accumulate dust and debris over time, reducing their efficiency and leading to poor indoor air quality.

Having your air ducts professionally cleaned can improve airflow, reduce energy costs and improve indoor air quality. Experts recommend having your air ducts inspected every two years or more frequently if you have pets or allergies.

Conclusion

Booking professional cleaning services is an essential step in maintaining a clean and healthy living or working environment. Regular maintenance of residential homes and commercial spaces through scheduled cleanings helps promote good hygiene practices while supporting positive mental well-being by reducing stress levels associated with uncleaned areas around us.

Though how often you schedule these appointments varies depending on various factors discussed above, size & layout of space, as well as personal preference, it’s critical to engage a professional cleaning service for the best results. Additionally, using green cleaning products, prioritizing carpet cleaning, and air duct cleaning can help maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene over time.

 

Characteristics of a Quality House Cleaning Service in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Quality House Cleaning Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Why do homeowners hire a professional house cleaning service instead of cleaning their house themselves? What are the characteristics of a quality house cleaning service in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia? There are numerous benefits associated with hiring a professional cleaning service in KL, Malaysia, beyond just getting your home cleaned efficiently without lifting so much as a finger yourself!

Professional cleaners use high-quality equipment and products that may not be readily available in regular stores at affordable prices, such as industrial vacuums, steam cleaners, and environmentally friendly products. A professional cleaning service takes the hassle out of housekeeping and frees up time to focus on other important aspects of your life. Tasks such as organizing your home, decorating it or spending quality time with family and friends become possible when you delegate the cleaning to professionals. Moreover, hiring a professional cleaning service guarantees that every nook and cranny of your home will be cleaned thoroughly. With experience in handling different types of homes, surfaces, and cleaning requirements, their services will leave you with a cleaner environment than if you did it yourself.

Qualities of a Top-Quality House Cleaning Service in KL, Malaysia

A clean and tidy home is crucial for maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment. However, with busy lifestyles, it can be challenging to keep up with household cleaning tasks. This is where professional house cleaning services come in handy. By hiring a top-quality house cleaning service, you can ensure that your home is always spotlessly clean and well-maintained. But what qualities should you look for when selecting a house cleaning service in KL, Malaysia? Below are the top qualities that set apart the best house cleaning services from mediocre ones.

Professionalism

A top-quality house cleaning service maintains high standards of professionalism in all aspects of their operations. This includes punctual arrival at scheduled cleanings, courteous interactions with clients, adherence to ethical business practices and regulations, and overall attention to detail. Professionalism also means having proper licensing and insurance coverage for their business, which demonstrates their commitment to safety and quality.

Background Checks and Training for Employees

An excellent house cleaning service values the safety of its clients by performing thorough background checks on all employees before hiring them. They also provide comprehensive training to ensure that each employee has the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out high-quality work efficiently. Careful screening ensures that only trustworthy people enter your home when you use these services.

Use of High-Quality Cleaning Products and Equipment

A top-quality house cleaning service uses only high-quality products and equipment that are safe for both people and pets while effectively removing dirt, grime, stains or any other blemishes from your property. They should also use eco-friendly products wherever possible as this shows they are mindful about the environment as well as your health.

Clear Communication with Clients

A good communication channel must exist between a house cleaning service and clients. A top-quality house cleaning service ensures that they communicate effectively with their clients about all aspects of the job, including scheduling, pricing, and what to expect during the cleaning process. With clear communication, there is no room for misunderstandings or confusion.

Flexibility

A reputable house cleaning service offers several flexible options that fit your individual needs. This may include customizable cleaning plans to fit your schedule and budget so that you can choose what works best for you. They should also be available for both one-time or recurring cleanings, depending on what you prefer.

In addition, they should accommodate special requests such as deep-cleaning tasks like scrubbing the kitchen grime and toilet stains. Make sure to discuss your specific needs with a potential house cleaning professional before hiring them.

Attention to Detail

The attention given to detail sets apart great cleaners from mediocre ones. Excellent cleaners are meticulous in their work. They leave no surface untouched during a typical clean-up session and consistently make sure that every corner of the home sparkles after every visit. A great cleaner will pay special attention to high-traffic areas like entryways or living areas where people spend most of their time.

In addition, they will use eco-friendly products wherever possible as this shows they are mindful about the environment as well as your health. Cleaning floors by vacuuming and then mopping is one area where cleaners reveal how much attention they give to detail since it takes more time than just vacuuming alone.

Reliability

A top-quality house cleaning service values promptness regarding arrival at scheduled cleanings without fail while delivering consistent quality every single time. In this way, the company can retain clients for the long term. This means arriving within the scheduled window period and performing all services agreed upon in a timely and efficient manner. Furthermore, they must promptly resolve any issues or concerns that the client may have regarding the cleaning process.

The best way to assess reliability is by checking online reviews from reputable sources or getting recommendations from friends, family, or neighbors who have used the cleaning service before. A great house cleaning service takes pride in its work and is committed to ensuring that their clients are satisfied with every clean-up session.

House Cleaning Service Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

How to Find a Top-Quality House Cleaning Service in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Recommendations from Friends, Family, or Neighbors

One of the best ways to find a top-quality house cleaning service is by asking for recommendations from people you trust. This could be friends, family members, or neighbors who have used a cleaning service in the past and were satisfied with their work.

Not only can you get an honest review of the cleaning service’s work quality and customer service, but you can also get an idea of what type of cleaning packages they offer and at what price point. Word-of-mouth recommendations are often more reliable than online reviews since you know the person who provided them.

Online Reviews from Reputable Sources

If you don’t have any personal recommendations, then reading online reviews from trustworthy sources is another way to find a top-quality house cleaning service. There are many websites where customers leave feedback after using a cleaning service, such as Google Reviews. Look for services with high ratings and read through both positive and negative comments to get an idea of how reliable and consistent their work is.

Background Checks on the Company and its Employees

Another essential factor in choosing a top-quality house cleaning service is ensuring that they conduct background checks on their employees before hiring them. You want to be sure that your home is in safe hands when having people come in to clean it. You can ask about this when calling potential companies or check their website for information on employee screening procedures.

In-Person Consultations with Potential Cleaning Service Providers

Before committing to any one company, schedule an in-person consultation with potential house cleaning services, as this will help you determine if they offer everything required for your home’s specific needs. During this meeting, ask questions about their packages – what types of cleaning do they offer as well as their pricing, and take note of the quality of customer service you receive. If they are willing to listen to your needs and come up with a custom cleaning plan, it’s a good sign that they are committed to providing high-quality service.

Conclusion

Finding a top-quality house cleaning service in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia requires careful consideration of several important factors. Professionalism, flexibility, attention to detail, and reliability are all key qualities that should be present in any cleaning service worth considering. When searching for a cleaning service in KL, it is wise to seek out recommendations from friends and family or check online reviews from reputable sources.

In-person consultations with potential providers in Kuala Lumpur can also give you a good sense of their professionalism, communication skills, and ability to customize services to fit your needs. Remember that a clean home not only looks great but also promotes good health and well-being for you and your family.

By hiring a top-quality house cleaning service in KL, you can enjoy the benefits of a spotless home without the stress and hassle of doing it yourself. With the right provider on your side, you can rest easy knowing that your living space is in good hands.

So go ahead and take the leap – invest in a quality house cleaning service today! Your home (and your peace of mind) will thank you for it.

Reasons Why Traveling is the Ultimate Hobby

Traveling

Many people consider traveling to be the top hobby because it combines thrilling experiences with individual growth along with exposure to different cultures. When you travel you gain life-changing experiences which bring deep value to your existence by seeing new cities and hiking picturesque terrain and learning about foreign cultures. The following arguments demonstrate how traveling functions as an outstanding hobby that modifies your outlook and boosts your health.

1. Cultural Immersion and Understanding

Exploring different cultures through travel gives you a chance to develop better comprehension of world complexities as well as diverse cultures. Participating in local customs and tasting traditional foods and following local traditions helps you develop a wider understanding of human existence. Your interactions with foreign cultures not only deepens your academic understanding but creates opportunities for you to demolish social prejudices and feel empathy toward multiple demographic groups. Distinct experiences such as consuming Tokyo street food together with participating in Indian traditional festivals contribute to broadening one’s worldview.

2. Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Travel serves as an effective force which drives individual growth. The process of entering unknown conditions beyond your comfort boundaries forces you to develop new capabilities while learning new solutions and personal progression. The road to building confidence together with resilience leads through physical challenges and independent choice-making. The journey of exploration leads numerous people to rediscover their life direction because they gain a fresh perspective on their objectives after their travels. Traveling helps people discover themselves in ways that actively transform their entire life after finishing their journey.

3. Networking and Community Building

The act of traveling helps people meet individuals from different walks of life which leads to building worldwide relationships of both friends and casual acquaintances. Social media travel groups give travelers the chance to meet new friends and hostels welcome adventurers to come together while local tours create opportunities for meeting fellow explorers who seek similar adventures. Travel connections result in enduring friendships which eventually develop into travel partners who improve both your friendships and expand your understanding of the world.

4. Health and Wellness Benefits

Travel allows people to gain different health advantages that help people handle tension along with boosting their mental health. Connecting with nature through outdoor activities helps enhance energy while exploring fresh surroundings improves one’s mood. Trying the foods that comprise local diets offers dual benefits for both physical health enhancement along with the inclusion of fresh produce and whole foods. Travel functions as a reset mechanism which enables people to regain their energy before they return home feeling better than when they left.

5. Educational Opportunities


Travel serves as a learning process that reaches further than standard school education. After exploring historical sites together with museums and cultural landmarks you obtain first-hand knowledge about history art and science. The combination of real-world encounters provides you with increased knowledge about worldwide matters and a higher respect for the global nature of relationships between countries. Every destination including Machu Picchu and the Louvre Museum provides distinctive educational value to travelers.

6. Career Advantages

Traveling as a part of your regular lifestyle will bring professional advantages to your career path. Traveling enables you to acquire valuable skills which employers consider highly important including adaptability and problem-solving and communication abilities. Network interactions with colleagues operating in different sectors and cultural backgrounds build potential pathways to fresh opportunities either in individual jobs or joint partnerships. Traveling benefits entrepreneurs by delivering fresh ideas and market intelligence about developing markets.

Conclusion

Traveling serves as a pastime hobby which delivers numerous advantages that transcend leisure activities. Traveling as a hobby enables you to develop cultural awareness while helping you grow personally and build worldwide relationships and improve your health status and gain educational knowledge which leads to better career possibilities. This hobby has the ability to produce life-altering changes in anyone who chooses to explore the world whether they are experienced travelers or beginners. Travel worth becomes established through experiences coupled with individual transformation which occurs while traveling between different locations.

Clown Closet of Doom

I had a life-altering experience a few months back.  I cleaned out my indoor storage closet.  The second sentence really does not support the first sentence very well, does it?  But it’s true.  Cleaning out my storage closet was a serious life-changing event for me.  Plus, my closet looks fantastic now and everything is accessible.

I’m not sure this is the post to go into all the details of that redefining moment… or if there will ever be a time to go into it on TST.  It happened, and the course of my life has been forever altered by the events of that week.  I’m sure TST has been and will be affected by the aftershocks.

I refer to the “before” project as my Clown Closet of Doom… and I really wish now that I’d had the foresight to take pictures of the closet before it was emptied for cleaning.  But who really thinks to themselves that cleaning out a closet is going to be so earth-shattering that you’ll want pictures detailing each step?  The reason it is called the Clown Closet of Doom is because the room itself measures six feet by five feet and has nine foot ceilings.  Quick, someone do the math and tell me what the area of the CCoD is…  270 cubic feet.  Thank you, Self.  270 cubic feet.  Maximum.  And I didn’t use all the available space.  Mostly because I couldn’t stack things that high, nor did I use all the available floor space.  I would say there were a good two feet of clearance (if not three in many places), so we’ll deduct 2.5 feet off the overall height and call it good.  That gives us an adjusted 195 cubic feet of storage space.  195 cubic feet… and yet, somehow, when I removed all the items from the offending closet, it took up more than 900 square feet of my condo.  Like the car full of clowns at the circus, box after box after box was unloaded into my condo until it looked like this:

now picture this in every room of my house… my OCD and ADHD battled for days, and it wasn’t always pretty.

In the end, I donated six boxes of “stuff” to the local thrift store… and threw out (recycled) 15 empty boxes.  15.  And I still managed to keep 12.  Clown Closet.  I’m telling you.  The culling process is no joke, either.  You would not believe how difficult it was to throw out my “Intensive French” notebooks from college (the first time I went).  Why?  I don’t know.  It’s not like I am going to revisit my homework one day if I want to learn French.  No, I am going to take another class and build another notebook.  Or else I’m not, but apart from the times I sort boxes, I could safely say that I will probably never look in the direction of that notebook again.  But convincing myself of that was not for the faint of heart… in the end, I won, and the French notebook hit the garbage pile.  Math notebooks on the other hand are worth keeping.  I still refer back to them… but they have a home on my bookshelf and not in the closet.

As I was cleaning out my closet, I came across a poem co-authored by the lead singer of Royal Bliss in middle school.  We attended the same middle and high schools, although he was actually the same age as my sister.  This is not that poem.  This is one of their songs. And it’s awesome.  You could totally press play and jam out while you read the rest of this post.

Of course, if you are going to reorganize a closet, it helps to have a plan.  My goal:  I wanted each and every box accessible with little to no effort.  The solution:  build some shelves.  I googled a few ideas, combined some stuff, and created my schematic (feel free to use it because it is brilliant).  I wanted larger totes on the bottom shelves for heavier items, or things I still have entirely too much of (military memorabilia). I am way too lazy to add it all up to tell you how much you need in total for your project.  I had it memorized for a while, but then I didn’t take the time to write this post for three months, and I’ve long since forgotten.  But the measurements are all there if you can decipher them.  But really, this is your world, so you can build it however you want.

You also need some tools/materials.  I opted to build my shelves out of PVC.  I used 1 1/4″ pipe because I wanted it to be super sturdy.  And I went for the heavy duty PVC (did you know they come in different weights?)  I decided to use hand cutters because my hands are weak and I wanted the workout (seriously). If you go that way, you might also want gloves.  Unless you prefer blisters.  It’s entirely a preference thing.  I went for both.  I tried the blisters first because I wasn’t sure, and then I tried gloves.  I think I prefer the glove method a little more.  And you know, you need a measuring tape and a blue Sharpie.  And a rubber mallet.

Basic Project Tools

Oh, and connectors.  Don’t forget to grab enough of those bad boys.  I designed my shelf so the cross connectors always have an exposed side for later expansion (oh yeah, already planning for the upgrade option for when I inevitably accumulate more stuff).

♫ “You gotta make sure you’re connected… the right end’s on the wall” ♪

Then you start measuring and cutting.  I think they say measure seven or eight or nine times and cut two.  And then you assemble.  I didn’t do all my cuts at once (weak, sissy girl hands needed a break), so I just cut and built as I felt like it.  The assembly part reminded me of my younger brother’s Pipeworks.  Those were the coolest toys.  Someone please tell me why they don’t make them anymore.

Greatest toy since the Lego. (Which was the greatest toy since mud and sticks) 
Adult Pipeworks!

And here we have added a happy little box:

Don’t act like you’re not impressed already.

And like any great how-to is made, I got lazy with the camera, and I am going to skip straight to the final product photo:

Check it out!  I can access anything I need with ease.  And the closet is no longer filled with doom.  Or clowns.  (Please note:  This is not actually the final iteration… it’s clear those totes are all empty because my OCD insisted that I label them with the label maker as I filled them.)

I built a second shelf (which I am also way too lazy to go photograph now since I thought I already did three months ago, but apparently not because it’s not in the shelf project album).  The second shelf was actually a half of the first shelf and has space for five more totes/boxes.  There are two on it currently.  And a box containing a carpet I shipped to myself from Afghanistan.  And a birthday present for a friend.

31 First Dates

Dating

Hello Hitchhikers!  Sorry I’ve left you hanging by the side of the road for so long.  There’s a story behind it, but it would mostly sound like excuses if I tried to tell it, so let’s just forget about the fact that it’s been over a year since I last wrote anything, and carry on as though hardly any time has passed at all.  How does that sound?  I think it sounds brilliant.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you may be wondering how my dating experiment is going.  If you know me in my personal life, you probably already know.  I’m a little behind in my blogging.  Although, not as far as you might think given the immense passage of time.

The theme of this date was ESCAPE!  But not like the first first date.  I still have nightmares.

My 19th first date was a lot of fun.  It was a group date.  By group date, I mean that there was a group of people… not everyone was on a date.  One couple was married, another couple was not a couple at all (I think they were married – just not to each other, but it’s not as scandalous as it sounds; they were just friends of  one of my friends or something and their spouses were otherwise indisposed.  I think.  It’s been a long time.  Details are fuzzy.  To be honest, I don’t know if they knew each other before that night, but I think they did.)  And then there was my date and me.  I think that’s right.  I might be missing someone else, too.

Nope, I’m not.  I went back to look at pictures, and I remembered everyone.  Go me! (Sorry, you don’t get to see the pictures because I have not received permission from the participants to post said photographs – truth be told, I didn’t ask).

This was my first Escape Room experience.  If you’ve never tried one, they can be a lot of fun – especially with the right group of people.  We had the right people.  Not only did we finish with time to spare, but it was a lot of fun while we were trapped.

Can You Escape? Tampa. They aren’t paying me for the endorsement, but I really wouldn’t mind if they did.

My date and I met up in the parking lot.  I was early.  I’m never early.  I hate being early almost as much as I hate being late.  I mean, do you sit in your car like a creeper until your date shows up?  Do you walk inside by yourself and explain five times to the staff that you’re “meeting someone”? Fortunately, I wasn’t that early, and I didn’t have to wait too long for my date to arrive.  I think I played it off like I’d just pulled in a few seconds before he did.  We both knew at least a few of the people in our group, so it wasn’t super-awkward for either of us… at least no more so than it is for me in a social situation anyway.

There wasn’t a lot of time for much more than the standard, “Hey, how was work?” conversation before our entire team arrived, and we found ourselves racing against the clock to try to find our way out of a locked room.  Stressful environments are a great way to learn how someone operates.  Also, it is really difficult to hide OCD tendencies – especially if it involves solving riddles and crooked frames on the wall.

The design of the room was a little cheesy. In my mind, I think I’d pictured a medieval castle with torches on the walls – like those awesome puzzle apps you can get on the iPad.  Then again, our room was “office” themed, so really, how much design acumen is really necessary?

All in all, it was a fun first experience and a low-threat first date.  It helps when you are already somewhat acquainted with the person you are first-dating.

After the escape room, we all went to dinner.  I was ready to gnaw my own arm off, and I think I ordered enough food to prove that.  We went to Lee Roy Selmons.  I don’t actually remember what I ordered (pulled pork or steak, I’m guessing – I really like their variety of sauces), but I’m sure I ate a half dozen of their rolls with barbecue butter (it’s a strange flavor combo, but somehow it works).  One of the others in our group ordered meatloaf.  That’s what I remember.  She let me try some.  Wow.  It was good.  It would never have eliminated a meatloaf craving for me (because it didn’t taste like my mother’s version), but it was a whole new meatloaf experience that I still occasionally crave.

Speaking of meatloaf… my sister and I were talking the other day about the word meatloaf.  What are your thoughts?  A loaf of meat… amazing concept or aptly named, but completely unappetizing.  I’ll give you one guess where I align on the scale of awesome to unappetizing.  That’s right.  I’m fully onboard with the awesomeness that is an entire loaf of red meat.

When I got home, my dogs were so excited to see me that they nearly ran right past me and out the front door.  And then I realized they weren’t that excited to see me.  They were trying to run right past me and out the front door.  And then saw it:

My boys had chewed through the frame by the front door.  They had chewed through the blinds of three of my windows.  The entire time I had been trying to escape a locked room, my puppies had been at home doing the same thing!

It was very out of the ordinary behavior.  I mean, I’ve had much longer lasting first dates, and I’ve never come home to destruction.  About thirty seconds later it was clear to me.  The smoke alarm chirped to let me know the battery was dying.  I took them both for a walk, and then climbed up to change the battery.  For the next two days, neither dog would go in the room with the smoke detector.  Poor guys.

Guess they couldn’t solve the puzzle.

Frustrations in Public Pet Parenting

This post is labeled both Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down, along with Sore Thumbs and Twiddling Thumbs. Why? Because as I sit writing this, the wind is picking up, and I am thinking about my poor little boys being stuck indoors for the next couple of days while a little bitty (ha!) tropical storm named Isaac makes its way up the gulf. It’s getting too ugly too quickly to take them to the dog park (plus you would not believe the work that entails for me now that Joe has discovered his absolute adoration for all things muddy). But, as I was walking Marty for the sixteenth time I had a brilliant idea: I asked the front desk manager if I could take them into the back fenced area of the hotel where the sport court and grills are to run around off-leash for a few minutes and burn off some energy. He agreed immediately (who wouldn’t? My boys are pretty convincing what with their giant eyes and playful demeanor and smiling faces). He said the only issue would be if another guest wanted to go outside to grill or use the sport court, etc., then I might have to pack them indoors. These conditions were agreeable to me and, more importantly, to Joe and Marty.

The boys were playfully running around the area, chasing each other, sniffing the new environment, and having a marvelous time when I accidentally dropped the roll of poop bags I was carrying. Normally this is not a big deal, but with the wind such as it is, instead of a roll of bags, I had a streamer of bags attached to a plastic tube. Streamers are very tempting play toys for puppies. It was a race to see if I could roll up the bags before the boys could catch them in their mouths. Joe won. He got a bite of bags and they tore from the rest of the roll. Of course, he wanted more, so he immediately let go of his hold on the bags and they went blowing through the bars of the fence into the parking lot. I am not the kind of person who leaves a mess behind (most especially when it pertains to my dogs, because I know how egregiously unforgiving people can be toward pet owners for even the slightest infraction). I quickly gathered the remaining bags and stuffed them in my pocket (pausing only to wrestle a couple from Marty’s grasp). I looked around, realized it was unlikely anyone would be coming out on the patio/sport court during the thirty seconds it would take me to dart around the fence line to retrieve the bags before they could blow completely away into the wildlife preserve and choke some baby gator. I also knew my boys were unlikely to cause any real damage, because as soon as I walk away, they always follow to the gate/fence to watch me intently in case I am about to abandon them forever. I have never actually abandoned them forever, so I’m not sure where they came up with this idea that I would. It’s not quite separation anxiety, but there is definitely concern.

No sooner was I outside the gate, on the other side of the fence line in hot pursuit of the fugitive plastic bag streamer, with Joe opposite me inside the fence, than another guest came outside carrying a plastic bag full of garbage. I recognized her as one of the few people in the hotel with an irrational fear of my dogs (I don’t know if it’s rational for other dogs she’s encountered in her life, but knowing the greatest danger she faces from my dogs is either anaphylactic shock from a severe pet allergy [unlikely since she continues to breathe in their presence] or being enthusiastically cuddled, pawed at, and licked, it’s definitely irrational). She always cowers and waits for a separate elevator, or gives me dirty looks from across the lobby. I quickly recalled my boys, to make sure I had them under complete control, so she could dispose of her garbage. Unfortunately, Marty had gotten himself stuck inside the sport court, and couldn’t make his way to the fence line. I told her to hold on, while I ran around to the gate to come in and collect him so he wouldn’t run up to her looking for love. Marty’s theme song at a time like that would definitely be “Looking for Love (in All the Wrong Places).”

She was trying to shout something to me before I came around (which I couldn’t hear, let alone understand over the wind). I collected my boys and motioned to her that she could come throw her trash away in the bin. I’m not sure why she hung around, because she refused to come around, even though I had the dogs by the collar in sit-stays where she could see them (inside the sport court which meant another barrier between us and the garbage). She shook her head when I said she was welcome to come throw her garbage away, and finally ejected something like, “No. I’ll just go talk [she said talk, but I’m fairly certain she meant complain] to the front desk.” Okay. I think she fully expected the front desk personnel to be upset that I was outside with my boys, because as a clearly irresponsible pet owner, there is no possible way I would have asked permission to have my boys outside in the fenced area off leash, nor would any decent hotel staff or manager have had the audacity to approve such behavior. Except that the staff here do have the audacity to approve such behavior. They love my boys (and spoil them with unhealthy dog treats) and comment all the time on how well behaved they are (if only they see what I see…). I did feel sorry that the manager was probably going to be on the receiving end of her tirade against me.

She went inside; I leashed the boys (much to their dismay), took them back outside the fence with me, and collected the rogue bag that started this mess in the first place. I was upset by her reaction to go straight to “tell on me.” I felt guilty for being outside with them (even though I’d been given permission) and took them back inside. I wondered for a minute which of us had more right to be upset. I am happy to be accommodating to anyone when it comes to my boys. I know not everybody loves them like I do. That’s why I didn’t hesitate for a second to make sure I had them under complete positive control (even though it meant allowing those stupid bags to blow farther away). But I also understand that she was probably startled to find them running in the back area, and it probably irritated her to find them “unattended” when I went outside of the fence line (especially not having any idea why). But going straight to the front desk to file a complaint seems like a passive-aggressive way to resolve conflict. It’s not like they are going to turn us out. And I’m not sure what type of resolution she was seeking. Without knowing, I think I can reasonably expect even more open hostility than I have already received from her when we see each other. I’m pretty certain she’ll never give me an opportunity to talk it through with her.

It makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong… or at least like I should feel like I’m doing something wrong… All for trying to be a responsible pet parent.

Anybody else ever have trouble like this?

For the record, I saw the manager a few minutes ago. He confirmed she was upset when she came in, but he informed her that I’d been given permission and was well within my rights as a guest to have my boys outside. He said she was more understanding once she knew. I’m not sure if that’s true (given my previous experiences with her), it might be, or maybe he’s just trying to ensure there isn’t a showdown in the lobby one morning.

Finally! My Guest Room is Bigger on the Inside!

I’ve had a very special project at my house this fall. My guest bedroom gets frequent use; rarely a week goes by that I don’t have at least one overnight guest. But even with that many guests, the majority of the time, it sits unused (except for the dogs when they go to sleep at night, or run away to avoid their Frontline treatment). Until recently, a queen-sized bed, night tables, and two dog “houses” took up the majority of usable space, and there wasn’t much left for my hobbies (or anything else for that matter). Since I only have a two-bedroom home, space is at a premium, and I try to maximize its use every chance I get.

Enter the Murphy bed.

Murphy beds are pretty spectacular.  They are also spectacularly expensive.  I looked around, and the best price I found on a bare bones Murphy was $1899.  I don’t know about you, but I have way more ways to spend money on any given day than I have money to spend.  So I decided to look into what it might take to build my own, since I’d have to put one together if I ordered it anyway.  I found a kit I could buy that came with all the specialty hardware (bed stops, gas pistons, legs, etc.) and written and DVD instructions for cutting the wood and putting it together.  I also ordered the light kit so I wouldn’t need night tables anymore.

Since Murphy beds are the ultimate space maximizers, it only made sense to build it using Time Lord technology:  bigger on the inside!

The first step (after purchasing the necessary materials and tools) was to assemble the frame.  I was fortunate enough to complete this step three times which I think makes me an expert.

The first redo occurred because the young man who assisted me at the hardware store told me it wasn’t possible to get solid wood pieces in the measurements called for in my instruction manual, so I tried cutting some of the leftover raw materials to size and screwed them together.  I wasn’t totally satisfied with the end result, which seemed a little wobbly.  The instruction manual states in extremely BOLD letters not to make any substitutions of materials without first contacting customer service.  I went back and forth a few times until I decided to just call and verify before I continued with the assembly.  They confirmed my suspicion that the substitution would not be sturdy enough to withstand use for long and also informed me that the the solid wood sold in the stores is the standard size called for in the directions… something about nominal 1″x2″s are actually 3/4″x1 1/2″ (the dimensions the instructions called for) and he was quite surprised that the young man who worked in the lumber department did not know that.  I thought that might be the case, but the worker seemed so confident in the store that he had me convinced otherwise.

The second redo occurred because I decided I’d save some time and just have the lengths cut while I was at the store since they could set the saw to cut at the length I needed for multiple pieces instead of having to measure and cut each one individually with my miter saw.  I took the wood home and assembled the new frame immediately.

It turns out that when I said I wanted them cut to a length of 60 1/2″ – “that’s six-zero and one-half inches,” that the worker somehow heard 61 1/2″… something I was lucky enough to find out while trying to attach the head and foot rails.  So… I took the frame apart and measured and cut each one with the miter.  I love saving time, don’t you?

Here are a bunch of assembly pictures.  Counter height kitchen tables make excellent workspaces.

It was around this time in the project that I had to start calling in reinforcements to help me move things, stand on things, take pictures, lift things or just stand around and tell me what a spectacular job I was doing.  I have the best friends and neighbors (with a few notable exceptions – they know who they are) ever.

Once the bed was primed, I laid out the trim.  A friend and I spent a couple of hours late one night discussing the various possibilities, and laying out materials.  I didn’t have quite enough for the layout I finally chose, and since it was already after 2100, I was going to have to wait until I could get to the hardware store the next morning.

Around 0200 in the morning, I had a new idea which required completely different materials  – materials I wasn’t even sure existed.  But it looked so good in my head, and on paper when I drew it out, that I decided to pursue it anyway.  I returned the trim I’d previously purchased and proceeded to walk the trim aisle for almost two hours.  My idea looked like it might work, but it was going to take some creative effort to create the pieces I wanted.  Apparently they don’t make the pieces I’d imagined.

My design differs from the actual TARDIS (I know), but I wanted it to look a little more decorative while still keeping with the spirit of the TARDIS.  I also wasn’t working with the same dimensions as the actual TARDIS, so I had to make width and height adjustments however I could without taking away from the look.  I happen to like the way it ultimately turned out, so haters can hate somewhere else.

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I got when I finally reached this point!

I opted for the older blue-gray color scheme because it just seemed to fit a little better with all the other stuff in my home.  I love the deep blue of Matt Smith’s TARDIS, but this is a little subtler for the uninitiated.

Before I could begin the final assembly, I had to figure out the lighting.  This was the only part of the kit experience that scared me.  The entire time I was building the components, I wondered if maybe I wouldn’t be better off assembling the bed and installing the lighting at some later date when I magically had the skills to do so with ease.  Because the light kit is a separate component, the DVD does not include instructions for light installations, and the one-page diagram and instruction sheet looked massively confusing to my novice mind.

I finally reminded myself that I would never install the lights if I didn’t do it during the initial build, so, taking a deep breath, I started:  one step at a time.

The instructions said I could use a jig saw or a hole saw to create the holes for the lights.  Um… seriously?  The project had already required my jig skills twice (once for each side rail), and I think they’d best be described as substandard and definitely needs improvement, and I didn’t think attempting to jig perfect circles that would suspend lights directly above the heads of my sleeping guests was the way to practice for the appropriate skill level.

When it came to routing a dado (you like how I throw terminology around like I know what it means?) the entire length of the cabinet, I had to get especially creative with both my space and my tools.  My test run with the trim router on a piece of scrap wood was awful!  And yet, I somehow determined from that atrocity that I understood the mechanics and the vibrations well enough to just move in straight for the kill with no more practice attempts.  It turns out that my confidence wasn’t entirely misplaced.  The dado turned out quite nice, even if I do say so myself.

I secured the cabinet to my inverted craft table legs with clamps to hold it steady.  I had no idea if it would be sufficient to hold the board upright and securely enough to run the router the entire length.  It was.  Ready.  Fire.  Aim.  I am so freaking lucky sometimes.  I had to adjust the clamps a couple of times as I worked, but apart from that, there were no snags or hiccups.

A few coats of paint to the cabinet pieces, and it was time to assemble!

My dogs were such good sports while their room was under construction.

Marty wanted to be the first to try the TARDIS bed before it was even fully assembled

I definitely could not have done this part without the help of friends and neighbors.  I don’t have enough arms and legs, nor do I have enough strength to maneuver this thing on my own.    Out of respect for their privacy I won’t publicly call them out by name, but they know who they are.

So, without further ado, I give you the *original TARDIS-inspired Murphy Bed:

Okay, maybe a little more ado… because I thought these pictures were way too cute not to share.

It’s finished. Mostly. (It still needs the Yale lock that’s sitting [you guessed it!] on my kitchen table).

And yes, it’s definitely bigger on the inside.  Go ahead.  Pull to open.

Allons-y!

*Actually, I have no idea if it’s ever been done before; I just know that I had never seen one until I built one in my living room.