Five Minutes to a Clean Bathroom

Keep your bathroom clean in five minutes.  Are you thinking it can not be done?  It can just follow these steps and keep your bathroom in tip top shape.

The truth of the matter is, you can get a great deal done in 60 seconds when you don't have distractions. It's why the 5 minute rule works so well. Even if you don't have 5 minutes back to back, there's a good chance you have 60 seconds here and there throughout the day. Want to see how it's done? Check it:

MINUTE ONE:
Minute one is dedicated to clearing off surfaces. Put away your straight iron, find a new home for your SPIN magazine, toss your makeup back in the drawer and grab that old towel off the sink. Dirty clothes should be off the floor and those bobby pins that never seem to have a home should find one.

MINUTE TWO
Minute two is all about surface cleaning. Drop in some toilet bowl cleaner and let it sit until the last few seconds and then wipe down the countertops, sink and toilet tank and seat. Give your shower a spray with either store bought or home made daily cleaner (or white vinegar). Run your toilet brush around your toilet and you're done. It's a busy minute but it can be done in that time frame.

MINUTE THREE
Your third minute is dedicated to straightening. Refold your towels and pull your shower curtain closed so it can air out. Check to make sure you have toilet paper and even take a few seconds to straighten the bottles on your countertops and those that live in your shower.

MINUTE FOUR
You're on the downhill stretch and now it's time to check your mirrors. It's easier to get toothpaste spittle on them than you think and a quick wipe or spray with your favorite cleaner will keep them clean in a jiffy. If the mirror is already clean, take a moment to wipe down your sink and bath fixtures and make them shine.

MINUTE FIVE
Did you panic at minute two when I said clean all the surfaces? Maybe you have kids that make things messier or you just don't move at lightning speed like I do. Take an extra 60 seconds to assess anything out of sorts and finish up.

IN CONCLUSION
To make this system really work it has to be used EVERY DAY. If you skip a few days here and there it's easy for your bathroom to get that layer of dust and grime that takes more than just a few minutes to remove.
Once a week, skip cleaning your mirrors and fixtures and take a moment to sweep or mop the floor and wipe down the outside of your toilet. It can be done in a minute (ok, maybe two or three) if you mop with something easy like a Swiffer — if you can squeeze in the time to do it more frequently, great. Likewise, you can give your shower an actual scrub down — just use your time wisely and don't let it intimidate you!

For more information or other cleaning tips check out Apartment Therapy.

Cheaper Costume Ideas

Do your want costumes that are over $100 without the accessories?  Here is a great story about a girl who took that $80 dollar costume and made the same thing for a lot cheaper.

It’s a down economy and a presidential election year—could there possibly be a MORE appropriate 2012 Halloween costume than a homemade Statue of Liberty designed for 5 bucks? I doubt it. (Hello, Humility? I’m sorry, she’s out to lunch.)

Last year my daughter came across a very nice Statue of Liberty costume in a catalog, but with torch, robe and crown, it came to about $80. While I was pleased about her costume choice considering the less-than-original-princess-and-fairy-costumes of years past, I decided I could do better with my own resources.

From around the house, we gathered the following for Lady Liberty:      

Painting a crown for Lady Liberty costume.

Cardboard
Sage green paint leftover from a home-painting project
Black paint
A princess crown (for Liberty’s crown)
An empty ribbon spool (for torch)
Foam sheets used for packing breakable items (torch flame)
Small flashlight (torch “light”)
(Also needed: Ponytail holder, stapler, safety pins, scissors, markers and duct tape)

At the thrift store, we purchased:
Two sage green curtains, $5 (for robes)
Then we went to work. Here’s how it came together:
 
Instructions
• The Crown: Cut a cardboard piece to cover the entire front of any child’s princess crown; paint green and let dry. Once it’s dry, paint black rectangles across the green piece. Cut long, skinny triangles from cardboard; paint green. Once all paint is dry, attach front piece to crown with duct tape. Attach crown spires with a stapler. Touch up paint once crown is assembled, if necessary.
• The Torch: Paint a large empty spool of ribbon with green paint. Using markers, color foam sheets yellow and orange and cut 3-4 pieces into a tear drop shape for flames. Glue foam flames around the top inside edges of the spool, leaving a hole through the middle. Slide small flashlight into the spool with the light part up. If the flashlight doesn’t fit exactly, add more foam around the edges. When the flashlight is turned on, it makes a great Liberty torch that actually lights—fun for nighttime trick or treating!

A cute costume that was fun to make for just $5.

• The Robe: I do not sew, but pinning curtains to form a robe worked fine, and was less work for me. Only thing is, you have to re-pin if you wear the costume again. Pin one curtain loosely around child so it drapes around the body. Fold second curtain into a long rectangle and drape over one shoulder like a sash; secure under the other arm with a large ponytail holder (easier than pins, and removable).

For more information see Colorado Parent.

Maryland Madness

 Maryland Madness is scheduled for tomorrow at 7pm.  This annual event is the kick off to the University of Maryland basketball season.  The special one hour program will air live on CSN following the Terps' men's soccer game.  You will get to meet the new basketball players and coaches for the year along with a few other surprises.

The celebration of Maryland Madness, which tips off the new season of basketball at Comcast Center, is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 12, beginning at 7 p.m.

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will present a special one-hour program, Maryland Madness presented by Wendy's, on Friday, Oct. 12. The show will air live on CSN Plus at 7:30 p.m. with an encore at 9 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet following the network's live coverage of the Terps' men's soccer game at Duke (7 p.m.).

Comcast SportsNet's coverage of Maryland Madness will be highlighted by introductions of the 2012-13 Terps' men's and women's basketball teams, along with head coaches Mark Turgeon and Brenda Frese, and their team scrimmages. The event, which was first held 41 years ago, will also feature the unveiling of the teams' new Under Armour uniforms.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is free. No tickets are required and seating is first-come, first-served.

The evening includes a student dunk contest, - which will be judged by former Terps football players Torrey Smith, LaQuan Williams and Josh Wilson and former basketball players Walt Williams, Juan 

Dixon and Dave Neal (subject to change) - and a performance by the Maryland Gymkana Troupe.
Students can register for the student dunk contest and vote on the best returning Terrapin dunker at 2012MarylandBasketball.com, the official fan site of Maryland basketball. Free t-shirts will be given away to the first 4,000 students in attendance and the winner of the student dunk contest will be awarded with free books for the school year.

Comcast SportsNet anchor and reporter Rob Carlin will lead the network's coverage live from Comcast Center in College Park, Md. He will be joined by former Terrapins star Christy Winters Scott and men's radio analyst Chris Knoche, who also contributes to the network's Terps coverage on CSNwashington.com and CSNbaltimore.com.

For CSN Plus carriage and channel location, check with your provider or visit CSNwashington.com or CSNbaltimore.com.
Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic - the official sports network of the Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, D.C. United, Atlantic Coast Conference and Colonial Athletic Association - delivers more than 500 live sporting events per year, along with Emmy Award-winning news, analysis and entertainment programming, to more than 4.7 million homes throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Comcast SportsNet's digital portfolio, highlighted by CSNwashington.com and CSNbaltimore.com, is the region's leading source for online sports news and information.

NBC Sports Regional Networks, part of the NBC Sports Group, consists of 13 local networks that deliver more than 2,400 sporting events annually, along with breaking news and comprehensive analysis, to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. The NBC Sports Regional Networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, CSS and SNY. NBC Sports Regional Networks also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation's largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com. 

For more information see UM.

Homecoming Calendar

2012 University of Maryland Homecoming Calendar
For more homecoming information see UMD.

DATE	TIME	TITLE	LOCATION	DESCRIPTION
Friday, October 12	11am-5pm	Give the Red Blood Drive	Atrium, Stamp
Sunday, October 14	1pm	UMD Field Hockey vs. UC Davis	Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex
	1pm	UMD Volleyball vs. Florida State	Comcast Center Pavilion
Monday, October 15	11am-2pm	Homecoming Week Kickoff	Hornbake Plaza, Rain Location Stamp	Stop by tables focused on recent decades and get a FREE t-shirt!  Also giving away FREE food!
	4pm-5pm	Lecture- “One Leg at a Time: How the Trouser Role Became an Integral Item in the Mezzo-Soprano’s Wardrobe”	Gildenhorn Recital Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center	In this Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Recital, faculty artist Delores Ziegler discusses and demonstrates the mezzzo’s many styles of “pants roles.”  http://music.umd.edu
	7pm	Residence Hall Decorating Contest Judging	Residence Halls	Judges will critique the decorations coordinated by the various residence halls.  A prize will be awarded to the winning floor/hall.
	7pm-10pm	Juke Joint	Hoff Theater	An opportunity for self-expression, students may read poetry, sing, perform a spoken word, or share another kind of performance.  Sign-ups will be coordinated through Nyumburu Cultural Center.
Tuesday, October 16	2:30pm	Lecture- “Sheesh, What’s With All the THATCamps?”	301 Hornbake Library	The Maryland Institute for Technology in Humanities (MITH) offers the latest installment of its weekly “Digital Dialogues” lectures.  http://mith.umd.edu
	4pm	First Year Book Lecture	Hoff Theater, Stamp	The First Year Book Program will host Brooke Gladstone, author of The Influencing Machine. http://firstyearbook.umd.edu/2012
	6pm-7pm	Operation 1856: UMD’s Largest Zumba Class	Cole Field House	Campus Recreation Services hosts what hopes to be a record-breaking Zumba class.  Contact Emily Schmitt at eschmit2@umd.edu or 301-226-4407 for more info.
	7pm	UMD Field Hockey vs. Towson	Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex
	7:30pm	Panel Discussion- “Creativity and the Elder Artist”	Gildenhorn Recital Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center	Numerous studies reveal that older adults who engage in creative activities can slow down the aging process by maximizing the use of their brains and bodies. Hear more from distinguished guest panels.  http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu
	7:30pm	UMD Men’s Soccer vs. Colgate	Ludwig Field
	8:30pm-11:00pm	Acapella Showcase	Memorial Chapel	Cheer on your favorite acapella group!  To participate, email homecoming@umd.edu.
Wednesday, October 17 – Friday, October 19	8pm, each night	“And God Created Great Whales”	Kogod Theatre, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center	This musical adventure follows Nathan, a piano tuner and composer, on a mad quest to finish his final opus, an opera based on Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, before lowing his mind and his memory.  Visit http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu for ticket information, including cost.
Wednesday, October 17	11am-3pm	Farmer’s Market	In front of Cole Field House	Visit http://farmersmarket.umd.edu for information about the items available this week.
	2pm-5pm	School of Public Health Career Expo	School of Public Health Building	SPH students and alumni are invited to network with industry representatives. http://sph.umd.edu
	7pm-9pm	Writers Here & Now- Danielle Evans and Mary Ruefle	1121 Tawes Hall	The Jiménez-Porter Writers’ House, the Department of English’s living and learning program, brings writers of national and international prominence to campus.
	7pm-10pm	Mash-Up	Grand Ballroom	Participate in this facilitated workshop and discussion on the topics of identity.
Thursday, October 18	8:30am-6pm	Annual Fischell Festival: A Celebration of Bioengineering’s Potential to Improve Life for Millions of People	Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building	The Fischell Department of Bioengineering invites alumni, students, faculty, and the public to this annual celebration of bioengineering’s potential to improve our lives. Registration required. http://fischellfestival.umd.edu
	5pm	Whiting-Turner Business & Entrepreneurial Lecture- “The Plight of the Innovator: How to Get Out”	Kim Lecture Hall, Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building	Featuring Thomas Fogarty, Professor of Surgery at Stanford and inventor of the balloon catheter Open to the public.
	7pm	UMD Women’s Soccer vs. Miami	Ludwig Field
	8pm	SEE Comedy Show	Cole Field House	For information on the line-up and how to purchase tickets, visit http://see.umd.edu
Friday, October 19 – Sunday, October 21	All Day	½ price Bowling and Billiards	TerpZone, Stamp
Friday, October 19	9am-1:30pm	Research Interaction Day	School of Public Health Building	Join students, faculty members, the campus community, and community partners for presentations and posters featuring SPH’s latest research. http://sph.umd.edu
	12:30pm	Panel Discussion- “Forty Years of Title IX: Action and Coverage”	Eaton Theater, Knight Hall	A panel of journalists, athletes, and coaches will discuss the impact of Title IX at the University of Maryland and for the journalism industry that covered the passage of the law itself as well as the college athletes it produced. Moderated by USA Today reporter Christine Brennean. http://merrill.umd.edu
	2:30pm-4:30pm	SPH Alumni and Faculty Ice Cream Social	School of Public Health Faculty-Staff Lounge	SPH alumni are invited to meet new Dean Jane Clark, socialize, and network with faculty and staff.  Registration required.  http://alumni.umd.edu/sphicecream
	3:30pm	Lecture- “Why Americans Should Read The Book of Mormon”	2115 Tawes Hall	The Department of English invites alumni and friends to join Elizabeth Fenton, author and associate professor of English at the University of Vermont, for a discussion about The Book of Mormon.  http://english.umd.edu/events/3166
	3:30pm-5pm	CMNS Alumni Festival and Ice Cream Social	G. Forrest Woods Memorial Atrium, Chemistry Building	Join the College of Computer, Mathematcial, and Natural Sciences to celebrate the achievement of alumni from each of its departments.  http://cmns.umd.edu/alumni-events.htm
	4pm	Homecoming Parade	Campus, Along Regents Drive, ending at the Main Administration Building	Watch students, faculty, and staff show off their creative side by building floats, decorating cars, and painting banners. Prizes awarded to the best entries.
	5pm-6pm	Soccer Pre-Bash	Ludwig Field	Come by for food, music, and games, and see who won the best Parade entries! Show off your Maryland Pride by competing in the Spirit Contest.  Must have ticket to the Soccer game to enter.  Discounted tickets offered to the public using promo code HOMECOMING.
	5:30pm Reception 6:30pm Presentation	SPH VIP Alumni Reception and Presentation	School of Public Health Student Lounge	SPH Alumni have been invited to hear “The Today Show” nutritionist and health expert Joy Bauer ’86 and Teresa Holley ’87, CEO and owner of Holley Creative and health educator.  Registration required. http://alumni.umd.edu/sphreception
	6pm	UMD Men’s Soccer vs. UNC	Ludwig Field	Cheer on the Men’s Soccer team as they compete against top-ranked UNC.
	6pm-10pm	UMD Black Alumni Bowling Party	TerpZone, Stamp	$10 in advance ($12 on site).  http://alumni.umd.edu/umbabowling
Saturday, October 20	4 hours before kick-off	Tailgate Competition	Campus	Compete to see who has the best tailgate! Criteria include food, decoration and overall Terp Spirit! Registration required to participate.  Email homecoming-tailgate@umd.edu to register.
	4 hours before kick-off	Alumni Association Lifetime Member Wall  Unveiling	The Eric S. & Frann G. Francis Lifetime Member Wall, Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center	See the names of the newest lifetime members of the Alumni Association etched into the wall. Invitation Only. http://alumni.umd.edu
	3 hours before kick-off	Homecoming Bash	Orem Hall, Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center	The Maryland Alumni Association welcomes members and their guests to the Homecoming Bash featuring food, fun, and live music.  Alumni Association members are free, though there is a cost associated with their guests.  http://alumni.umd.edu
	3 hours before kick-off	Capital One Bank Terp Town	Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center	All Terp fans welcome to this tailgate!  Listen to music, enjoy family-friendly activities, and food for purchase. Open to the public. http://alumni.umd.edu
	3 hours before kick-off	BSOS Meet and Greet	Terp Town, Sauel Riggs IV Alumni Center	College of Behavorial and Social Sciences alumni are invited to stop by the BSOS table at Terp Town to meet BSOS leadership and members of the college’s Alumni Chapter Board, and to receive a BSOS gift.  http://bsos.umd.edu/news-and-events/calendar.aspx
	3 hours before kick-off	College of Education Meet and Greet	Benjamin Building Gardens	The College of Education Alumni Board invites alumni to enjoy light refreshments, visit with fellow alumni, and receive a spirit giveaway.  Registration required. http://Ter.ps/EDhomecoming
	3 hours before kick-off	Ag-tober Fest	Campus Farm	The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources welcomes alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to an Ag-tober Fest tailgate with food, games, and activities.  Registration required. http://agrn.umd.edu/news/events
	2 hours before kick-off	Philip Merrill College of Journalism Alumni Tailgate	Knight Hall	Mingle with current students, alumni, faculty, and staff from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism.  $5, includes one beer ticket. RSVP required.  Email Molly Schwartz at mschwartz@jmail.umd.edu to RSVP.
	1pm	UMD Field Hockey vs. UNC	Field Hockey and Lacrosee Complex
	TBD	Homecoming Football Game vs. NC State	Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium	Cheer on your Terps! Purchase tickets at http://umterps.com