Thursday, February 19, 2009

Great Spring Cleaning Giveaway...

I know I need it....how about you??

When Thelma Meyer tells it to you, she tells it straight: Clean the kitchen daily! Don't waste anything (not even the water leftover from those potatoes you just boiled)! Always work hard!

Now for the first time, Thelma's sage advice is being made available in this revolutionary cleaning guide chock full of practical tips and secrets based on the premise that life is hectic and messy -- and so keeping your house clean and nice is the only sensible thing to do. With shortcuts and tips for cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room, MRS MEYER'S CLEAN HOME contains unexpected advice such as:

--Never use vinegar and water on wood floors. One part dish soap and four parts water is the only way to truly get them clean. And remember to buff with a terrycloth towel.

--Always clean out the fridge before grocery shopping. Serve the kids "Musko" ("must go") for dinner, using the items that were fast approaching expiration.

--Wash windows on a cloudy day to avoid the nasty streaking that happens when the sun's out and glass dry too fast.

MRS MEYER'S CLEAN HOME is two parts common sense and one part inspiration. Read it and learn how to clean like the dickens.

"Our lives are so filled with junk from the past-from dried up tubes of glue to old grudges-that it's a wonder we can get up in the morning," exclaims motivator, best-selling author, columnist, and life coach Gail Blanke.

"If you want to grow, you gotta let go," is Blanke's mantra; and that means eliminating all the clutter-physical and emotional-that holds you back, weighs you down, or just makes you feel bad about yourself.

In THROW OUT FIFTY THINGS she takes us through each room of the house-from the attic to the garage-and even to the far reaches of our minds. Through poignant and humorous stories, she inspires us to get rid of the "life plaque" we've allowed to build-up there.

-That junk drawer (you know that drawer) in the kitchen? Empty it!

-Those old regrets? Throw 'em out!-That make-up from your "old" look? Toss it!

-That relationship that depresses you? Dump it!

Once you've hit fifty-you'll be surprised how easy it is to get there-and once you've thrown out that too-tight belt and too-small view of yourself, you'll be ready to step out into the clearing and into the next, and greatest, segment of your life.

So, does one of these look like something you need? I know I could use some help! Anna at Hachette Book Group has graciously provided five copies of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home by Mrs. Thelma A. Meyer and five copies of Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke. To enter just leave me a note with which book you would like to win and your most hated spring cleaning chore. You can enter until midnight eastern time on March 8. Winners will be drawn at random and must have a US or Canada street address (no P.O. Boxes). Good luck everyone and thanks for entering!

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a fun giveaway! I would love to win a copy of Throw Out 50 Things. I desperately need to do that because my least favorite spring cleaning task is cleaning out the drawers I use to shove things in when surprise company comes.

The Giveaway Diva said...

i don't mind either!! whatever i can get my hands on! and i hate cleaning the hard to reach areas because those are usually the dirtiest areas! =(

Anonymous said...

BOTH books sound great, though I think Mrs Meyer's would be more useful to me. I'm already pretty good at throwing stuff away. Hubby and I are both abiding by the rule that it goes if we haven't used it in 6+ months.

As far as spring cleaning goes, I most hate cleaning under the sofa (we have a huge L-shaped one) and the bed. We don't have carpet anywhere, but it still gets pretty nasty under there...

Anonymous said...

I NEED Throw Out Fifty Things (although I probably need the book on cleaning as well) to help my whole pregnancy 'get rid of all our crap' phase I'm going through.

devourers(dot)books(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would very much like the Mrs. Meyers book. I'm in a spring cleaning mood as yesterday the sun came out and shone through the windows in a way that highlighted every bit of dust and grime!

kay.hardtmann@gmx.de

Michele said...

Great giveaway. I'd love to win either book, but maybe the cleaning one more. My least favorite spring cleaning is the windows. You know, where you really need to get on the outside too. The 'afraid of heights' thing gets me with this task!

Anonymous said...

I would love to win Clean House. I think my most hated spring chore is actually cleaning all the nooks and crannies that get passed over normally. Thanks for entering me.

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

allisonmariecat said...

I'd love either book, but I'll go with Mrs. Meyer. I absolutely loathe cleaning out the pantry. I have nowhere nearby to stack all the contents, and I hate pulling out all the half-empty containers and finding several bulk bags with a few tablespoons each of say, walnuts, because I couldn't find anything for the last couple of months and kept buying more :)

traveler said...

Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance. Mrs. Meyers would be a godsend since I have a tough time cleaning well and efficiently. I hate every aspect of it especially bathrooms.
saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Melissa O. said...

I'm pretty new to the book blogging world and just learned about your blog through Presenting Lenore! I love your site! Keep up the good work--great giveaways, too! I've got my eye on Throw Out 50 Things! :-)

Anonymous said...

I'd be thrilled to win either! I'm a total pack rat, and am a member of a serious pack-rat family, too! I'm trying to do better as I get older, but it's so hard!

As for my most detested spring cleaning chore, that would probably have to be going through my old clothes -- the winter ones, usually -- and realizing what I haven't worn at all in the past six months. Since the seasons have changed, it's obvious if a certain sweater remained untouched all through the cold season. But I feel sad giving up my clothes! At least they go to charity, and I imagine them worn by folks who are thrilled to have them :)

Thanks for the chance!

writing.meg [at] gmail.com

bookworm said...

I'd like to win Mrs. Meyer's book, that one looks very useful. As for the most hated cleaning chore, that would have to be emptying out the big container of winter items (gloves, hats, scarves, mitten, ear muffs, etc) and matching them up to put away for the year. I'm always missing some items and what do you do with one glove??

Gwendolyn B. said...

I would love to win "Throw Out Fifty Things." (I could probably do that every day for a month!) I don't think I hate any chore around the house as much as I hate vacuuming my car! Maybe I'll tackle it in the spring. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Storeetllr said...

Oh, yes, I definitely can use either or both of these books! Thanks for the chance to win.

I'll blog about it too on http://justonemorepageblog.blogspot.com/ and http://storeetllrsanythingblog.blogspot.com

Ania said...

Sign me up for Throw Out 50 Things, please! I *hate* clutter!

ania.mj[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!

Michele said...

Okay, I'd better throw my hat in the ring for the Mrs. Meyer's book. #1 because I love her products (they're all I use) and #2 because my idea of a good cleaning job is to call the contractors and have the entire room remodeled. Problem solved.
Great giveaway, Carey!!!!

Julie said...

I would love to win Mrs. Meyer's boo! My most hated chore would be the bathrooms, yuck! Thanks:)

Simply Stacie said...

I love BOTH books but if I had to pick I would choose the Mrs. Meyers book.
My most hated Spring Cleaning chore is cleaning the windows and front closet.

Ladytink_534 said...

I could definitely use something like Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home... especially since we're moving into our first house soon (apartments just don't cut it on the "first" list to me lol).

Now my most hated spring cleaning chore is probably dusting as I dust every inch of the house (and have allergies all the next day).

Anonymous said...

For me it would be the Throw Out 50 Things book - I am really bad at throwing anything away!

Worst spring cleaning?? - Lifting up the top of the gas stove and getting all the stuff out that has been baked on!

Thanks for the giveaways!

kherbrand at comcast dot net

tsslug said...

Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke.
Thanks all

tsslug7@yahoo.com

Kaye said...

Do you have one to Throw out 250 things? Lol I need that book! Packratitis is one of my many flaws.

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I would like a copy of the Clean Home book. I dislike cleaning, mostly because it takes so long! Whenever I clean and organize, it always seems to make a bigger mess than I started with.

Neverwithoutabook said...

I'd love to win either book. I really, really need the Throw Out 50 Things as I have a 2-car garage with room for only 1 car! LOL The cleaning one would be good, too, because it's almost that time of year. Unfortunately I dislike all cleaning chores. I'd rather be outside enjoying spring than inside doing spring cleaning. Yuk! ;)

velocibadgergirl said...

These both look good, but I REALLY could use the Throw Away 50 Things book. Decluttering is my (so far unsuccessful) mission for this year.

My least favorite Spring cleaning chore is probably going to be moving all the furniture so I can clean the rock salt residue off of our wood floors :P

Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!

Stephanie said...

Ooh, sign me up for Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home! I'm doing a lot better in my home organizing and cleaning, but I could still use more help! :)

stephaniedekeyser (at) gmail dot com

Thanks!

Wrighty said...

Both of these books sound very helpful. I would be interested in either one but if I had to chose I would pick Mrs. Meyers cleaning book.

It makes me depressed to read everyone's least liked chore because I need to do all of those! We have so much clutter right now and lots of dust from the furnace running all winter. Ick. I love to get rid of things it's just finding the time to do it. And I often get started on a project and get sidetracked before I finish. Then I have a bigger mess. Probably the worst chore is cleaning the porches and yard in the spring. Luckily I have a spring birthday and my mom makes my kids help her clean up for my gift. I love it and look forward to it every year! Thanks for your giveaway!

5wrights1@verizon.net

Sheri S. said...

I hate having to dust everywhere and especially in the places that accumulate the most dust :( I'd love to be entered for both books! Thanks :)

Bridget said...

I've posted this on Win A Book. Don't enter me though.

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your drawing. The book I would like is Throw Out Things. My least favorite spring cleaning task is Cleaning out the closet in my spare bedroom. There is way more then 50 things in there that should be thrown out.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net

Jo said...

Please enter me for Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke!

As much as I dislike all cleaning, my most dreaded chore is going through piles and pitching stuff. I have this horrible habit of going through a messy pile of papers, books, and randomness with the intention of clearning out most if not all of it - only to just stack it in a slightly more neat pile and set it aside.

sweetsue said...

I would like to be entered to win Mrs Meyer's Clean Home, I love reading tips and tricks. I generally like spring cleaning, but cleaning out the garage is a chore I dread.
smchester at gmail dot com

Dawn M. said...

I would love to win either book. They both sound like great reads. :0)

My most dreaded chore would be cleaning windows. Ours are a pain in the rear to clean.

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I'd love either book! My most hated Spring cleaning chore is washing the outside of the windows. Such a pain!

bookcrossingkitten22[at]gmail[dot]com

Sara said...

Either book would be cool. My husband will die when he sees me reading about cleaning instead of cleaning. Anyway, worst chore: cleaning out the garage. Everything gross seams to accumulate out there.

Melissa said...

I would love to win Throw Out 50 Things. I tend to keep things and hubby hates it. He is always threatening to throw out my stuff!

KR said...

I need both of them but I'd choose Mrs. Meyer's. I hate washing down my screen porch but I love it ince it's done.

Unknown said...

I think I could use the Mrs. Meyer's book the most. As far as the most hated chore - washing walls. I'm too short to do it easily!

LuAnn said...

I definitely could use some help with clutter!

Deborah said...

I'd love to win "Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home" by Mrs. Thelma A. Meyer. I am not looking forward to scrubbing the floor under the stove. asthenight@gmail.com

BevE said...

I would love to win Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home. I can't think of a spring chore I don't like to do but one thing the older I get the harder the chores are getting - still like to do them though : D

BevE
half4books@gmail.com

Renee G said...

I would love to win a copy of Throw out Fifty Things.

My least favorite springtime chore is cleaning the miniblinds. Maybe I'll just replace them :)

rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

Lesley (aka Upper West Side Writer) said...

I would love to win either! I'm a newlywed, trying desperately to adjust to taking care of a HOME for the first time. Thanks!

lesleymfan (at) gmail (dot) com

Rue said...

I have always hated washing windows.
I'd love to win Mrs. Meyers Clean Home.

Thanks for the chance.
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

judygr64 said...

I'd love to win "Throw out fifty things"...I NEED this book. Anything that involves decluttering is what I hate the most. I'm a pack rat and need to find a way to declutter. It's hard to do any real spring cleaning when there's too much clutter everywhere.

judy(dot)greenberg(at)gmail(dot)com

Carolyn Sharkas said...

I would love a chance at either. I need all the help I can get. thanks so much for sharing
and my most hated spring cleaning chore is closets. I hate cleaning closets, odd, yes, but there it is.

ceashark at aol dot com

nfmgirl said...

I'd love a shot to win either book. My most hated chore would have to be cleaning the tub. I hate that soap scum!

caseykelp said...

I could use either, but the greater need comes to Throw Out 50 Things. I am such a packrat. Thank you for the giveaway

barbara said...

I need Throw Out 50 Things! Oprah got me started, but I need motivation to keep me going!

I hate washing windows. Once I've washed all the curtains and put them back up, nobody sees the windows anyway, so why do I care if they're clean?

Unknown said...

I would like to win a copy of throw out fifty things both books sound great and this is such a great giveaway!

danmarugg(at)yahoo(dot)ca


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New Hampshire, United States
Bibliophile, Anglophile, Traveller... I have been an avid reader all of my life, since I took the Dr. Seuss Dictionary away from my Mom when I was less than a year old because I wanted to read it myself. In college, where I earned my degree in English Literature, I was often asked "What are you going to do with it?" Now I finally have the answer to that question!!! Being employed as a Flight Attendant for twenty years has given me a lot of life experience and, better still, a lot of time to read. I love to travel for fun, too.