Up north, it got all the way up to 40-some-odd degrees this weekend. All those crazy Yankees acted like it was time to break out the bikinis and do the spring dance of love.

We hate to break it to them, but they’ll be in the throes of winter for while yet. They should come visit. Bless their hearts.

Here in Texas, signs of spring really ARE in full effect: ladies’ hair is swept up in ponytails, the delightful “thwap thwap thwap” of flip flops can be heard everywhere you go, people are luxuriating in all the wonderful goodness that make the Lone Star State great … and doing it outside.

Since spring does seem to be making its grand entrance, it’s time for all of us to turn our attention to things like SPRING HOME MAINTENANCE.

Y’all have the vapors now, don’t you?

We know, we know … it’s not all that exciting, but it really is very important stuff (whether you’re selling your house or not).

So, everybody, on the count of three, hitch up your git-a-long and let’s get to it!

Rev up that AC. Hot weather—really hot—will be here before you know it, so it’s a great time to get your air conditioner checked out for the season. An AC service company will come out, inspect the system and get it ready to roll, and usually for around $100 (give or take).

• BONUS LEVEL! Consider putting in a programmable thermostat. Not only will it save you the hassle of adjusting the temperature in your house all the time, it’ll save you money on your energy bills. If you haven’t seen Nest’s smart thermostat in action, check it out (it’s pretty nifty, to say the least).

Grab your caulk! That’s right. You heard us. Caulk is an inexpensive and easy fix for the cracks and crevices in your bathrooms, around your windows and doors, on your kitchen backsplash … wherever. It makes things look better and helps with energy efficiency.

Clean those gutters. Leaves, winter detritus, and general muck have been collecting in there since last summer. Grab your stretch ladder, some gloves, and scoop those suckers out. This will make way for spring rains and can save your roof and soffits from water damage.

Apply pressure! Pressure washing your house—especially if you have siding—is a great way to brighten and clean. Hit up your patio or deck while you’re at it.

Wash those windows. And if you don’t want to do it, hire someone to do it for you. This is one of those chores whose impact you simply cannot imagine ’til it’s done. It’s one of the best bangs for the buck you’ll ever find.

Clear the decks. If you have a deck, check the boards to see if any are warped and need to be replaced. While you’re at it, check to see how the wood, itself, looks. Spring is a great time to reseal the wood and get ready for summer.

• As long as we’re outside, take some time to clean up your grill and wash the patio furniture that’s been sitting outside all winter. Now’s a good time to tune up your lawnmower, too. Sharpen the blades (or pick up a new one at your local home improvement store), make sure the gas is stabilized and ready to mow, mow, mow! All of this will make enjoying your outdoor space that much more pleasant.

Sweep it! If you have a chimney, call a sweep and have it checked out. And as long as we’re on the subject of sweeping, grab a broom and clean off the front porch.

Clean, clean, CLEAN! There’s something about spring cleaning that feels SO good. Everything smells fresher, looks brighter, is better. And having things just so will increase your relaxation level more than we can say.

We know that most of this stuff is less fun, say, than napping on your couch on Sunday afternoon, but we promise that a little work put in now will make your summer better by tenfold. Urban Provision wants you to love where you live and squeeze every drop of enjoyment from your home.

So, who’s ready? Brooms up … and GO!