The Elf Blog

Fall Maintenance

Here are some basic tasks you'll need to schedule so that you are ready for fall and winter:

• Clean and store outdoor furniture. (Make any necessary repairs now. If something can't be repaired, you can replace it with something on clearance.)
• Tidy the yard and prepare it for winter.
• Switch out summer clothes for fall and winter clothes. (Bye, be tanks and capris. Hello, cardigans.)
• Get out the heavier comforters and blankets for beds.
• Place throws around the living space to keep things cozy without turning up the heat.
• Schedule an inspection and cleaning of your furnace.
• If you have a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned and make sure you have enough wood for fires.

Of course, if you live farther south, you may be able to delay these tasks, but you want to make sure they are complete by the first frost.

Summer's Over -- Now Plan Fall

Yes, I know that summer doesn't really end for another 2 weeks, but, for most people in the U.S., Labor Day is the end of summer (just like Memorial Day is the beginning -- even though it's 3 weeks early). That means it's time to start planning for fall.

What do you want to do before the holidays or before the end of the year?

• Maybe it's yard work or some remodelling of the house.
• Maybe you want to sign up for a class or complete a craft project.
• Maybe you want to start an exercise program before holiday treats get in the way.
• Maybe it's a family trip to see the leaves or to pick apples or pumpkins.
• Maybe it's simply to find the containers and lids that match in your kitchen cabinet.

This week, take a few minutes of quiet to think about what you hope to achieve this fall. Actually write it down and put it somewhere you can find it later and refer to it frequently during the season.

Making your goals concrete and visible is the first step to achieving them.

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day is the traditional end of the summer in the U.S. (even though seasonal summer still has a few more weeks to go).

As I get older, I find that I tend to use a long weekends as an opportunity to catch up on work and chores and projects. But you should try to do something this weekend to enjoy the last vestiges of summer's relaxation.

I'll be hosting a cookout for friends. We'll have hamburgers and hot dogs, homemade baked beans, corn on the cob, green salad, Mediterranean salad, PBJ slaw, watermelon, and brownies. I think that's enough fod!