Almost finished painting

I'm almost finished painting the living room.

Alas, I have not worked out once this week. I said three times this week right? Hmmm, I think I'm actually going to flake on you. I really, really really need a workout partner. Volunteers anyone?

The Painting Continues

I started painting, took a break (like a two week break) but now I'm on it again. My living room will be completed by the end of the week - see I just committed so I have to do it right? Right!

As far as working out, I was doing great on my own there but then...something happened. Last week Dee Dee from work asked if I was working out and I said "yes" which was true but then I haven't been since. What's that all about? Anyway, I'm committing to work out three times this week.

I really do need the accountability because on my own I just get too lazy. Lazy isn't actually the word because I am always doing something, just not what I ought to be doing. I did write an entire month of Children's Church curriculum last week and that is work, actually a lot of work. I went shopping, baked brownies for my children (I have one teenage son at home but the boy is social, oh so social, so I have "my children" over all the time) I worked a full day at work for another person, so see, I am busy but with things I prefer to do not what I need to do.

Ahhh, to know oneself. Well, now that we all know all about me let's see if I can do better this week. By the way, my house....complete mess. So after the painting I'll have to get back on that ever so loved house up-keep crap (see my attitude does not help). I'm useless without you guys.

Please pray for God's speed this week; I'll need it.

The Painting Begins

Yesterday I bought an 8 foot ladder and today I overcame my fear of heights and climbed that 8 foot ladder and began painting my living/dining area and I didn't chicken out because I was home alone. I LOVE the paint color. There is a lot of room to paint but I decided to start one wall and I am now finished (well mostly finished there are all those finishing touches one has do to with paint) and I am really, really happy with the paint color. I am also exceptionally pleased with how easy the border I had on the wall came off; I used a little trick I read on the HGTV web site. Basically rather than buy wall paper remover you just add a little washing detergent and water, score the border/wall paper, soak with the solution let it sit a few and then remove; mine came right off. I guess the enzymes which removes dirt in clothes is the same as the enzyme in wall paper remover - whatever the reason, it worked and didn't cost me money or a trip to the hardware store.

I am now covered in paint and look like I've been busy all day. By the way, I did work out this morning. I have had a productive vacation day; never fear a nap was had, I do have priorities ya know.

I'll report on my painting progress tomorrow. I hope you all have a nice weekend.

Today was a warm, sunny day (a bit too warm for me) so I took the break from the rain to tackle a little outdoor project which is way overdue. I laid weed barrier and lava rocks along the walk-way up to the house. I also put down a new "welcome" mat and replaced a black, ugly plastic bin my husband uses for weeds and rose bush cuttings with a nice, green planter pot and swept and rinsed down the entire walk-way. All that activity made a bunch of ants very angry with me so I put them out of their misery with a big of bug spray, just to ensure they didn't make their way into the house.

So the walk-way up to our house now looks nice and neat. I do believe I need to paint the front door soon (boy my painting projects are adding up aren't they?) and I'm pretty sure I'm going to paint it red.

Anyway, another day of vacation spent getting stuff done. Don't worry about me overworking myself though, knowing that it is a vacation day, I made sure to get in a bit of shopping and a nap. I consider it a day very well spent. Three more days of leisure then it's back to work. I think I'm ready, I miss my little tykes and am ready for their warm hugs as well as the ladies I work with. I'll be taking them a whipped key lime pie using Memaw's recipe so they'll be happy to see me too. However, I have enjoyed the time off and am sure I could fill several more weeks with house projects but I do believe the time has come to rejoin the working class.

Until tomorrow - God bless.

Back into the swing

I believe I am back into the swing of things here at home. There are so many little projects to do around a house. Yesterday I organized and cleaned out two drawers and two cabinets. I was motivated to clean and organize drawers and cabinets when I was visiting my Aunt Nonnie (aka Memaw) in Florida. That lady is organized; I mean really organized and not in a "you better not touch" way either. If you need a nail clipper, a drink of water, a tissue, she has one (even in the car). Anyway, I was motivated to move beyond the exterior of my house and clean up and organize those "unseen" areas also. Still have a ways to go but doing good so far.

I even went to the gym and worked out yesterday. Speaking of working out I really need accountability, and in a big way, when it comes to working out so I'm counting on you, my dear friends, to be my workout partners and keep me accountable. So, I'm committing to you that I will work out on Friday and...shall I commit to Saturday? Yeah, Saturday too, I need to get back into at least three days a week. So, tomorrow and Saturday my body will be at the gym for at least 30 minutes on the cardio, crunches and...well that's all I'm committing to; I am still on vacation you know.

I'm off to find my next house project which will probably be organizing and cleaning more drawers and cabinets, I still have lots of cabinets and drawers in this house of mine. I haven't forgotten about painting either but I'm just not there yet; you'll be one of the first to know when I get there. Until next time; my God keep you and yours.

Hot and Cold

I came back from sunny, hot and humid Florida to find it cold with wind and rain. I prefer the wind and rain - I do not do hot well at all. Actually, I still have the rest of the week off from work so yesterday the cold wind and rain made it a wonderful day to decompress from my time away from home and putter around the house tackling a few smaller projects - I cleaned out the bottom of the refrigerator and two junk drawers. I also unpacked (I usually allow it to sit in the suitcase a few days and up to a week) and put everything away.

The male population of the home did an okay job of keeping the house from total disaster while I was away. I have a day of work ahead of me to get it back into tip top shape but it's obvious they tried and I am always grateful for effort.

I so enjoyed the time with my family. My Aunt Nonnie (better known as Memaw) loves to putter around stores looking for good deals and I accompanied her. I found three pairs of shoes and a winter coat all for a great price. I believe people in Florida must have bigger feet because I had no problem finding shoes to fit my very big size 11 foot and here in California I have a horrid time finding my size (I usually have to pour my foot into a size 10 to see if I think an 11 will feel comfortable then have the store search the computer for my size at another store and have them shipped to me if an 11 is even found) and never on sale. Needless to say I hit the jackpot in Florida and am happy, happy, happy. I won't even go into detail on what I had to do to find room for all my "new stuff" in my already full luggage. There was a time when I didn't consider myself a very girly girl but I believe that may be changing because I am beginning to dig....dare I say it??? SHOPPING. Here is where I should tell you what I bought for everyone else but well...I didn't; just me. I am going to make my men, as well as the ladies I work with, a key lime pie using Memaw's recipe; that will be delicious and it didn't take up luggage space. Savvy huh?

OK, I know I said I may paint my living room but you will also remember I didn't commit and I'm still not. I have chosen the paint color though. I am putting this project off because we have high ceilings in that room and frankly, I am not looking forward to being that far off the ground and have decided it is best to have someone else in the house when I'm dangling my body on a ladder that far up. So, I have sufficiently justified my procrastination due to a safety issue and wisely so I think.

Well, I am off to begin other small project around my house today. So, on goes the music and off I go. Have a good day and enjoy the rain (we need it). God's speed.

Almost the end of the week

One more day of work and then I get ready for my vacation. I'm excited to visit family I haven't seen in a couple of years. I'm leaving the men home and going off to see my family all by my lonesome (don't feel sorry for me, I'll be anything but lonesome).

As far as working out: I have worked out twice this week and will go after work tomorrow and then 3o minutes of cardio on Saturday morning (goal of 4x's this week will be accomplished). That should get me ready to eat like a pig and do nothing on my vacation (something wrong with this scenario isn't there?). Oh well, I didn't make any promises for my vacation now did I?

I have a couple of projects I will need to get on when I get back from Florida but, for now, I'm not ready to commit to them so I won't talk about them just yet. I have kept the house neat so I'm doing good on upkeep. Upkeep is a problem of mine, I seem to do OK with working like a crazy person to clean something but then I let it go - since this blog I haven't been letting it go and I'm pretty happy with the way things look.

Well, if you don't hear from me for a while you know where I am. Until then God bless and take care.

Another week

Another week begins. I got my room finished...well, not finished but cleaned and neat. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do in that room but it is clean and ready for whatever I do decide to do in it. I think I want it to be a quite, reading room. There's a big, comfy chair in there and I hung some pictures but I'm not sure what's next. Oh well, it's clean.

This is the last work week I have before I get off for two weeks vacation. I will be visiting my aunt in Florida for a week and then I think I might paint my living room but I'm not sure on that part. I'll report back when I decide.

I will continue with my workout plan but this week...dare I say? I will hit the gym four, yes four, times; I am adding in an extra day of cardio. I really like telling everyone my plans because it really does prompt me to actually do what I plan in my head. I guess I was taught to do what I say I'm going to do and lying really isn't my forte so you guys keep me honest. Thank you.

Well, it's off to work. My little cherubs will be full of energy and ready to play so I better get on over there and get ready. I work with toddler aged children and they are cute, cute, cute but full of energy, needless to say I don't sit much where I work (see told you guys I'm not lazy, I just hate housework).

By the way, I heard from a friend that my 16 year old son mentioned how clean our house was and how much he liked it. I never knew he really cared. I am touched.

No more excuses, I'm on that room.

So my son is well and he got his stuff out of the room I need to work on...now what excuse can I use to get out of it? OK, none. Besides I already started on it. I hung the blind in the window which uh, um, my husband was suppose to do (never wait on a man honey or you'll be waiting forever) and got all the junk out of there and vacuumed and it's looking pretty good so far. Right now I'm washing a cushion cover (hope it doesn't shrink) and writing my blog.

So today I will bless you with my wisdom on waiting for a man to help you. Don't! Just don't, it won't happen or if it does he won't be patient enough and will say something rude and you'll be frustrated and he'll come up one night all cute and sexy wanting to be close to you and you'll want to bite him (not in the seductive kind of way) and he'll have absolutely no clue whatsoever what is wrong with you and you'll just be pissed. Here's the best martial advise I can give. If you want something around your house done learn how to do it yourself. Get yourself a little tool box (hide it so no one can help themselves to your tools), a cordless drill (really, I do have one - love it), and a little tool belt (mine was a gift and it's pink). Then when you ask your most wonderful to hang, install, sand, patch or whatever it is you'd like him to do because he's the man and biologically created to do these and he doesn't do it within a reasonable amount of time (in the case of the blinds I waited 2 months) you just do it yourself and say nothing. Viola, marriage saved!

Oops, I forgot one integral part of the above. You must not skip this step or you will be in divorce court before the day is over. Make sure your most wonderful IS NOT home when you take it upon yourself to do his job. He will try to take over, offer advise, or supervise and you will have absolutely no patience for such nonsense (remember he was suppose to do this) and the fire will burn in the home that day and no good whatsoever can come from such a scenario; I guarantee that.

Sisters, my most wonderful is wonderful but let me tell you if we were to ever divorce it would be because of stupid little things described above. When it comes to big stuff we work together very well but little things. Little things! Let me tell you that's what can ruin a marriage little things and after 21 years of marriage, it ain't worth it. Let it go, you just gotta let it go. This takes years and years of practice but it is by far the best thing I have ever learned so remember - let it go. Life is hard and there are real issue you have to face; let the little things go. This works well with children and friends and co-workers, etc. also, but is especially important in marriage.

OK, enough for today. I have some pictures to hang before Mr. Wonderful gets home. Ta, ta.

How can it be Thursday?

Wow! Thursday already. I have already worked out three times this week so I have kept to the promise I made on my blog to work out three times a week for two whole weeks (boy am I sore today, lol). My husband has been off work the last three days and I had to work so my house isn't as up-kept as I'd like but it isn't too bad. He returned to work today so I can begin to get things back into order when I get off work this afternoon. My husband is rather neat but he does leave things out (for easy access he says) which doesn't fit in with my new "neat freak" persona. He did mop every floor in the house while he was off so I'm not really complaining; my man is not lazy he's always doing something and, God bless him, he cooks.

Will check in this weekend. Until then God bless and may life smile upon you.

Oh, oh - call me a liar.

OK, I wrote last week about how I haven't lied to you and how I have completed everything I have committed to but here it is Sunday and my upstairs room is still undone. I also told you all I needed my son to help and well...he's sick and I need him to get that stuff he stored in there out to move forward - I can't move it; too heavy for me (and I'm pretty strong). I know he's really sick because his butt hasn't left the bed and he doesn't want his friends around so he is down for the count (if you know anything about my son, at all ,you know he is all about his friends and he doesn't want them here right now; should I dial 911?). Anyhoo, if you don't mind, I'm putting that room off until next weekend (even if you do mind but I'm banking on the fact you have a heart for a teenager who doesn't even want his friends around).

Anyway, this weekend has been low key but I've done some laundry and, the most important, I have paid all my bills, balanced my bank register and updated financial records. So, you see, I haven't been sitting on my laurels.

For now I plan to stay with upkeep (boy there is plenty of that) and focus on the upstairs room next weekend when my boy is feeling better. I also will have him do a dump run when the weather cools down. We have a bunch of junk stored on the side of the house which needs to find it's way to the dump but I just can't make my baby do it in this heat because I know I wouldn't do it in this heat and it's just wrong to have a double standard for a human being you love more than life itself (that would be my 6'2" baby).

Until next time - God's blessings upon you and peace in your heart.

OK, I may have messed up on one of the days of my workout but I have worked out three times this week. I did it and I've got a few sore muscles to prove it! I even set up an appointment with an exercise instructor for Monday to help me design an exercise plan to make sure I'm on the right track.

My upstairs room isn't finished but that is because I need my son to stay home long enough to move some heavy stuff out of the room; I'm good but I'm not that good. Anyway, I think I will have to postpone the completion of that room until tomorrow (Saturday) since I need his help. He's been working a lot this week and I prefer him to work for $$ then on my room for love (though he may not love me when he's finished moving that stuff; not for a few minutes anyway).

But, to assure you all that I haven't been sitting around doing nothing, I have kept up with laundry and keeping the house picked up and vacuumed all week. So, right now if someone dropped by I could actually invite them in without nary a thought of my house being messy.

I am glad it's Friday. Hard day at work and I'm glad it's over. I love children; I could totally do without a lot of adults. For those of you who don't know, I work with children; toddlers right now (they're so cute albeit active) - I do love those babies and can become quite the mother hen when it comes to my babies but that's another blog.

Will check back in tomorrow and let you know what I've accomplished. Until then, look around and find a blessing for every negative thing going on. I find when I do that the blessings really do out-number the negatives (just the fact my children and husband are alive and well and love me makes up for most negatives). Peace and God Bless!

Friday!!!!

It's Friday!!!!! Do I need to say more?

Oops, my bad!

My last blog was on Tuesday and I said I would work out on Wednesday but I didn't. I was called on this faux pas by a wonderful woman I work with and I told her "no, I said I'd work out three times this week not that I'd work out tomorrow (which was yesterday)". Upon re-reading my blog of Tuesday, I realize she was right - my bad! I do apologize. Thank you for calling me on it, I do need to stay accountable. This dastardly mistake happened when I set up a work-out date with a friend for Wednesday but she had to put it off until today so I thought, hey I'll wait too (in reality I was thinking, hallelujah! I don't have to workout) but I would have gone by myself if I had remembered I committed to the specific date in this blog. So, my mistake. I am just hoping the wonderful woman I work with realizes how wonderful I think she is and let's me off the hook (think all this kissing up helps?).

Anyway, the good news is my friend and I met up today and had a very nice workout AND I now have a workout partner (in addition to you guys) to help me stay accountable. My friend, Dondie, joined the gym with me and we are going to become two mean, lean, fightin' middle age divas - so watch out world. OK, so maybe all we'll do is firm up and feel better but a girl can dream can't she?

Comments. I have heard from several people they can't leave comments on my blog. I'm not sure why so please, if you are reading this, try to leave a comment just to see if it works. This is how to leave a comment. At the bottom of this post (today's blog) is a spot in smaller type which says "0 comments" you should just be able to click that and a comments box should come up for you to leave a comment. If you try and it doesn't let you comment please e-mail me at: Dawnimaria@sbcglobal.net and let me know. You can, of course, always comment to my e-mail too but that function should work on the blog and it works when I try it so I'm not sure what the problem is. Anyway, please try to leave one even if you just say hi.

OK, that's all for today. I am excited to have a workout partner. Maybe between her and you I will actually stay with it awhile. I believe I'm in for some sore muscles in the next few days so if you see me moving around slow, have mercy. Until next time - PEACE!

I have been reluctant to mention that I need to add regular exercise to my sluggard blog. Reluctant because I know once I put it out there, in print, I have to either do it or confess I didn't do it and the thought of admitting I didn't do something I told you I would do has had a tremendous affect on getting me to do housework so maybe, just maybe, it will work with exercise too. Still, the thought of a little nap after work rather than exercise is so much more appealing and relaxing and just plain luxurious. Yet, as I look at my very flabby stomach and legs it is quite obvious that a bit of exercise would do me a world of good.

The good news is, I actually forced myself to the gym today and...here's the clincher, I even worked out. I know, hard to believe but I did and thus far I have not lied to you in this blog (though the temptation has been there; but then what's the point?).

So, with trepidation and an inner voice screaming "don't do it" I am committing to workout at least three times a week to you, my blog fans (though I'm pretty sure none of you actually exist, on the off chance that you do, I'm committed).

Tomorrow I will do cardio for 20 mins., sit-ups and abdomen exercises and at least three different arm exercises. I'm starting slow, if you don't mind, I need to move the next day. Those of you who think "that's nothing girl, what's the point?" let me remind you that nothing is exactly what I have been doing so, from where I am, any form of movement is better than that.

OK, I've done it! I've committed to exercise so let's see how I do. I'll report back on that and the disgusting housework thing in a day or two. By the way, my next home project is to finish preparing a reading room for my husband and myself; I've already painted the room but then stopped. I will give myself until Friday to have it complete and ready to use. Along with this project I will also keep the clean parts of my house clean. That's actually three projects this week alone: exercise, finish the room and housework upkeep. Boy am I rockin' or what? Maybe off my rocker is more like it, lol. Until next time; happiness, inner peace and God's blessings upon you.

The beginning of another work week; where did the weekend go? The last you heard from me I was throwing a temper tantrum about housework upkeep. Well, the tantrum is over but I still hate housework. I did decide to give myself a break on Sunday and did no housework at all, though I did organize the Children's Ministry room at church after service was over. I did not overwork myself, I had help and I made sure to fit in a nice, relaxing nap (ahhh, my favorite).

The new Church year has begun and the classrooms are clean, neat and ready for action. I do love working in children's ministry; children are the coolest, most honest creatures to deal with. I wish we adults kept more traits from our childhood. You know when a child (the younger the better because they haven't learned to cover up their feelings) is upset or mad at you; baby you know it. They will scream, cry and yell to make sure you know of their displeasure. Parent's train their children to stop all that nonsense but you know what? I can handle it. If I know I've upset you I can try to fix it. We adults go around pretending all is fine when there are a ton of emotions going on inside. Of course, a world full of adults throwing temper tantrums (not unlike that one I threw on Saturday, uhh, umm) would be unpleasant but the point is we should all be a bit more honest with our fellow human beings about what's going on inside. Otherwise, no one knows you need help, kindness or a shoulder to cry on. Just a thought.

Whaa, Whaa ): Oh poor me!

OK, I wrote at 10:35 this morning and have just finished with upkeep. Upkeep - it's 2:00 - I hate it! I have vacuumed, dusted, cleaned mirrors, sinks, wiped down, picked up and I said the house didn't even look that bad. I hate housework. I absolutely hate it. There are so many other things to do in life. I have decided we just flat out have too much house. I know, people love big houses, the bigger the better but 2,300 sq. ft. is too much for me to keep clean and enjoy life. We use to have a very small house, 900 sq. ft. and it was compact but I did not absolutely abhor cleaning it. I'm sure there is an in-between size house that keeping clean isn't completely overwhelming yet everyone can have their own room and move around without bumping into each other.

My husband loves big houses, he'd have one bigger than this one if we could afford it. I do not like it; I do not like it Sam I am. Now, that's not completely true, I like the house there's just too darn much of it. I want a smaller house. My life is busy, I like to do things, I do children's ministry, I work, I like working on projects (not cleaning) refinishing a piece of furniture, etc. but anytime I take on a project like that the house goes to hell and then I spend the next week just trying to regain ground again AND who wants to put a beautiful piece of refinished furniture in a cluttered, messy, hell-hole of a house?

I really need a housekeeper...or a smaller house; not that this is a great time to sell. It's a good time to buy but not sell and without selling for a decent price we're done for (like most people). So, I guess I will just complain to you, say a prayer and remember I am blessed and I am; I'm just feeling over blessed right now (is that possible?). OK, I'm whining like a stupid little baby (not that babies are stupid; but I am behaving in a stupid manner) but you know what? I don't care....I HATE HOUSEWORK!!!!!

The weekend - a time for rest or work?

I look around my house, which is quite clean, and think, hmm, it wasn't too very long ago when I wanted to turn around and walk back out because the mess was overwhelming. I must admit this is nice but now another dilemma has been created. I want to paint and redecorate everything. Talk about costly AND time consuming. I think it's time to talk myself down, way, way down. I have lots of drawers and cabinets which still need organizing which can take up my time - though I never said anything about cleaning those (I am still me ya know; outa sight outa mind that's my motto). Maybe it's time to get into a good book.

Today, I could refocus on my pink room. I cleaned it but somehow it has become the "storage" room for things I picked up from other areas of the house and now it's beginning to look cluttered again. The good thing about that room is I can close the door, not go in there and pretend it doesn't exist. I like rooms like that, don't you.

We're having strange weather here today. I heard thunder earlier (reminds me of home in Florida) and it is now cloudy with a bit of drizzle; interesting weather for this time of year. I noticed the Bean Festival was going on today when I was out early; I've never gone because it's always too hot and I don't do hot but I might actually make it today - I don't mind drizzle as long as I'm not too hot.

Anyway, the day is wide open as are my choices. I'll get back to you on what I decide to do: Book? Pink room? Bean festival? Choices, sometimes they're good sometimes they're not; I haven't decided which they are today.

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Ahead of Schedule

OK, my hallway is done...done! Absolutely done in one day no less. For those of you concerned that I may be near exhaustion I just want to let you all know - I even got to nap. Ahhh, I do love when life cooperates, which isn't often, so I'll just bask in the afterglow of knowing I can mark off one more project. Now....what next?

I hope everyone enjoyed the long Labor Day weekend. I had the chance to slip off to visit my friend in Nevada City for "chick weekend" a.k.a. no men allowed. Now don't get me wrong;
we do love our men but, honey please, there are times a girl just has to go off and be a girl. Anyway, the weekend is over and it's back to real life and real life means I have to decide on my next project and...I have.

My next project will be my upstairs hallway which has become the "hall of doom" if you ask me. I say doom, because if you don't watch where your step - you're doomed. Anyway, with the rest of my house looking quite nice the time has come to stop ignoring the upstairs eyesore, not to mention death trap, and clean it up. I believe the project will only take one day since the hall is quite small but just for fun, and the fact I need to fit in a nap, I'll break the job down into two days. That way, the hall will get it's much needed cleaning and I'll get my daily required nap. A time of rest and a clean hall, now that makes everyone happy (me being the only everyone here but since I'm the one writing this blog and cleaning the hall, I'm the only one who really counts and we wouldn't want me to completely lose the basics which makeup the being of who I am; now would we?).

Today is Tuesday and I'll start after work tomorrow and finish on Thursday. This is my projected schedule subject to change depending on whatever whim I may whim upon however, as you've all seen, I have completed every project I've committed to here in this blog so please have faith.

Until next time ya'll. Be thankful and God bless.

Those who know you best

My dear friend from way back when I wuz a kid, and then horrible teenager and even when I was a really, really, really stupid young adult (involved a male, of course), has expressed concern for my new obsession with domestication, lol. You know, I get it girl; it's unnerving isn't it? You've been there through thick and thin, Belinda, surely you can ride this one out with me too? You have always been the more level headed one honey, you know I gotta do this. Ahhh, I love friends, especially the one's who have known you forever; they tend to be between the eyes truthful (though Belinda has always been that way). You know, she has always given really good advise - I mean like the kind you should listen to...hmmm, maybe she's on to something here.

Bedside Manner

My side of the bed is now neat, tidy and dust free. I tell you my house is looking...not bad. Guess it's time to find another project. Hmm, you know, my house is looking good enough the next project isn't tripping me as I walk by making what I need to do so obvious. There is, of course, always drawers, cabinets, closets and other "hidden" areas to clean but really, I am me. I'm going to ponder upon the next project for now. I'll let you all know what I decide. Tomorrow, I will just go around the entire house and vacuum, dust, tubs, toilets and straighten, you know all that upkeep stuff one must do. Actually, I feel I may be getting sick, my throat hurts and I don't feel so good. I'm really a bad sick person so I sure hope not. OK, will fill you in on my next project soon. until then - ta, ta.

Do Refinish or Not to Refinish

OK, I am about to really humiliate myself by showing you my side of the bed which will be my next cleaning project. Bad huh? The reason I'm showing you this atrocity is so you can see my night stand which I want to refinish. Below is the amour I recently refinished; it use to be red (really pretty) but it didn't fit into my newly painted (by me) blue room (OK, I paint so I don't have to clean, it's sick, I know) so I refinished it and made it white; I even distressed it. I think it looks great in the room.


So, do you think the night stands should match? They were all a matching pair at one time. When I got the set they were a bulky, dark 70's bedroom set but honey, they are real wood, not that pressed wood crap which is all anyone without a rich man's budget can afford. So, give me the old, real stuff and I'll make it pretty. Anyway, I redid them in a dark red and loved them until recently (got lots of complements on them too). Now, they need to change with the rest of the house. Anyway, the nightstand will look like this; only smaller. What'cha think? You can't really see the distressing on this piece so you'll have to take my word for it. Are you ready to go through a furniture re-do with me? I'm up for it if you are. Disclaimer: the rest of my house may fall apart during any type of painting project however, I am hoping that since most the house looks pretty good I can weather this project without complete household destruction.



I'll be gone this weekend so the re-finishing project will have to wait until the following weekend; I'm sure I can find plenty in this house to keep me busy until then. Ready?

Wow! I walked into my house today and it's clean. No shoes piles by the door, the table isn't cluttered with mail and junk, the living room is tidy. Wow! Is this my house? Then, I walked down the hall into the family room and viola - no laundry piles all over the sofa, floor, coffee table, etc. Nice! Now don't get me wrong, the place isn't a showcase but a showcase has never been my goal, we live here, but I love not walking into my house and wanting to walk back out the door because of the chaotic mess.

Now, I just have to keep it up (which I'm sure I can do with the help of you). I do have areas which still need attention but, I'm glad to say, the areas you see when you first walk into a room aren't bad, not bad at all. Nonetheless, I will move onto my next project which is: clean/declutter my side of the bed. Yes, my side of the bed is a bit cluttered with all the books and other reading material (magazines, newsletters, bible study guides) I'm currently reading, the ones I have finished reading and the ones I am going to read sometime soon. I love to read and my side of the bed can attest to that fact. Now really, do I need a stack of books to read when I can only read one thing at a time. You'd think I could find a spot to neatly store the ones I'm going to read and put away the one's I've finished.

So, tomorrow, I will tackle my side of the bed. This project should only take one day unless I decide to expand the project to include refinishing my night stand which, I must warn you, is extremely likely. Of course, that will lead me to re-finished my husband's night stand...I think you can see where this is going. A las, with the rest of my house looking so nice a little "furniture refinishing" project just might be in my near future. Ta, Ta for now loves.

Comments

Some of you said you've tried to leave a comment but couldn't figure out how. I changed the comment setting (just figured out I could) so maybe, just maybe it's easier now. Try to leave me one and we'll see. Together maybe we'll figure out this technology thing.

This is the day which the Lord hath made...

Proverbs 26:14

"As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns in his bed."

I have purposely NOT included what the bible says about being a sluggard because, folks, it ain't pretty. However, having read the bible on occasion (I read it frequently actually, I am a God fearing, Jesus loving Christian who loves the Lord) I do know what it says, which is probably the main reason I fight my desire not to clean house because I know I should take care of what God has blessed me with.

So, today, this day of worship and rest I will honor God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me. He is faithful and has never left me and I will honor Him by continuing in my endeavor to take better care of the home and family He has given me. Here is just a short list of what He has done for me:

Loving, wonderful, hardworking husband who tells me I am his one and only daily
Healthy children whom are my heart
I was raised in a very loving home where my parents honored each other
I was raised in a Christian home where my Mom didn't just talk the talk (boy could she walk that talk; I aspire to be like her)
My sister (although I was a happy only child until she came along) is my loyal friend and I couldn't do life without her (even if I sometime act otherwise).
A family support system which allows me to know that I never have to do this life on earth alone, they will always love me (do you know how many people don't have that?)
A nice home (I never have to worry about where I will stay the night)
Every need has been met, over and over again
A lot of wants are even met
I live in a country where I can worship as I please and can work to make my dreams come true because I have freedom (let's work to keep this country that way, OK)

This is a short list but I just want everyone to know I am thankful. God has given me so much and I never, never want to take it for granted. Thank you Father! Please, if you are reading this, take a moment to be thankful.

Laundry - at least it's better than soap scum

OK, you all know my feelings on soap scum (which I think I actually figured out; see previous post if you don't know my feeling on soap scum) now let's talk laundry. Piles and piles of laundry. Anyway, I have completed project #3 which was gaining control of laundry and establishing a "system" to help keep it under control; time will tell if my "system" works or not.

My clothes are all put away and hung up in closets (yes, I now use two closets to house my clothing; this is a real humanitarian problem for me which I will need to address another time; not today though) and the laundry room is nice and clean and I even found room (in the laundry room, no less) for three baskets: one for me, one for my husband and one for my son. I have another basket located right outside the laundry room for "other" stuff like dish towels, towels, other household items which don't belong to any one person. My eldest son (who I miss so much) is off to college so maybe, just maybe, laundry for three will be easier to keep control of than laundry for four. Now, to convince my husband, who absolutely does not like to change a way of doing something, to use the baskets and NOT the floor, couch, etc. My husband is not known for change - as in if your great-great-great grandmother did it this way than that is the way it is to be done for all eternity and the world will explode if you dare try something new. I, on the other hand, don't care how something is accomplished as long as you get it done...someday. A "fly by the seat of your pants" woman married to a regimented man - ahh, love at it's best.

Tomorrow, after church, I will do "upkeep" on all the projects I've completed so far because, as you all know, upkeep is the hardest part of cleaning. If it weren't for upkeep everything would just stay clean and this dilemma wouldn't exist - I like that thought.

I need a housekeeper - I really do. I should tell my boss I need a huge raise so I can afford to hire a housekeeper. I think in this day and age of lay-offs and the poor economy I can sell the idea to her, don't you? OK...maybe not. Guess I'll just keep blogging - at least I won't be unemployed. I'll inform you all of my next project when I figure it out - after the upkeep cleaning of my completed projects; hmmm, what fun.

The weekend is here

Saturday, ahh, a day to sleep in...not - I awoke at 6:00 a.m. turned over and...nothing, wide awake. I really did have dreams of sleeping in until...7:00 - 7:30 maybe. Oh well, up and at 'em. I have read my e-mail, scanned other blogs, drank coffee and put off getting my day started as long as I can so it is time to get started on completing my laundry control project. I'm off - will report back later. Have a good, relaxing or productive day (whichever you choose; today I shall be productive tomorrow I shall nap - after church that is).

I Don't Wanna

I don't wanna so I'm not gonna.

Getting Control of Laundry

A simple walk around the downstairs of my house made my next project obvious, more than obvious, is there a word which means more obvious than obvious? How about abundantly apparent? Crystal clear? In-your-face? No matter the word, laundry and clothing control is my next project. As a matter of fact, I have already begun working on it (aren't you proud of me?). So, here's the list:

Day One (that's today):
Make room between the extra closet upstairs and my downstairs closet for all my clothes to have a proper home - meaning not draped over a chair. (I'm getting that little urge that my clothing is going to cause another worldly injustice if I allow it to...so, I won't think about it).
Get all washed clothing into their proper place
Put all socks, underwear, etc. away
Get all clothing items in the pink room either put away or packed away for Goodwill

Day Two:
All clothing items belong to my sons into their rooms and put away
Establish an organizational system for clean laundry to be stored (individual baskets for all members of the home maybe?)
Disclaimer: my husband loves to wash laundry, he just doesn't put it away; he piles it all around for me to do and well....we've already talked about my problem with putting things away - hence this blog.
Establishing some kind of organization system will be the challenge. I need to come up with a place for my husband to pile the clean laundry yet a place it can stay a day or two until I can get to it. Hmm, that's going to take a bit of consideration. Ideas anyone?

Day Three:
Clean laundry room (it's quite small so that's why we don't store clean laundry in there).
Dust and mop floor.

OK, that's a good start on my next project. Now, I'm off to finish day one. See you!

Tuesday??? Already??

Time does fly when you're not watching it doesn't it? Sorry to have not written in a couple of days. Let's see, I left off with discovering I own way more shoes than I realized. Now that I realize it I have to face the fact that yes, I do indeed own that many pairs of shoes and there is no reason whatsoever for a person with only two feet to have that many pairs of shoes. I mean, really, there are starving, shoeless people out there and my shoes are piled up in my entry (well, they use to be) and some of them I didn't even miss because I forgot I owned them. That, ladies and gentlemen is wrong - really wrong. Now, what to do about this worldly injustice residing in my own home at the hands of none other than...myself??? Hmm, that will take a bit of pondering.

In the meantime, I have completed my last project. The entry, living room and dining room table are now nice and neat; though everyone I live with is doing their best to make sure it doesn't stay that way which, my dear friends, is where the problem to housecleaning lies in the first place. No matter how much I clean, it just doesn't stay that way. I'm the type who picks a project, works hard, gets it done and moves on but with house work I can't move on because it just piles up again. I have a life, interests, hobbies - I need to nap. Housework and the continuous upkeep just does not fit into my "big picture", not that I know what my "big picture" is, but I do know it does not involve daily dusting, vacuuming and endless picking up of crap, crap, and more crap. Maybe if I just packed a few clothes and one, no two, pairs of shoes and just moved away by myself I could keep things down to the minimal basics. That sounds promising but considering the shoe incident maybe, just maybe, I'm my own worst enemy? Hmm, could that be possible?

OK, I'm done for the day. I'm off to ponder the worldly injustice of owning too many shoes.

Humbling experience

Day one on project #2. The entry. What a humbling experience. I begin to pick up all the shoes which have piled up in the entry with the intent of giving them to their respectful owners to put away; imagine my dismay to discover almost all the shoes belong to me. Hmm, that's an eye-opener. My husband owns two pairs of the shoes, my son one pair and the rest are...mine. Now here is the real confession - there are 17 pairs (yes, that's 34 individual shoes/flip flops) of footwear, piled around the entry and they are all mine. That, ladies and gentlemen, is humbling, embarrassing and humiliating all at once.

OK, now to find homes for all those shoes. You know, I didn't even know I owned that many pairs of footwear, guess I do. That would explain why I can never find the shoes I'm looking for, huh?

Anyway, I cleaned up the pile of shoes and used used Clorox to clean the tile and the area looks really nice. Now...where to put all those shoes? Day two of project #2 - tomorrow. Until then I'll be looking for a place to store all those shoes. Do I really even need that many shoes, I only have two feet? This might be a good time to consider a more minimal lifestyle. Ahhh, things to ponder.

Day four even though it's really day five

OK, so it's day five even though, technically, I was suppose to finish by day four, nonetheless I have completed my first project; the master bathroom. The mirrors shine, the sinks and counter are dust free, clutter free and clean, clean, clean. The tub and toilet are sparkly and even the shower is clean except for bits of soap scum which are determined to live in my home no matter how hard I scrub. I will figure out how to get rid of that evil stuff.

Now onto another room. Which one shall it be??? I think I shall focus on the entry, living and dining areas since those are the first rooms you see upon entering the house.

Day one: (Entry area)
Organize all those shoes which never seem to make it past the front door entry
Clean tile
Wipe down front door
Dust the floor edging
Get that big chair moved to where it belongs (which is not where it is)
Clean off and wipe down the ledge thingy
Clean off and dust alcove

Day two: (Living room)
Dust and organize entertainment center
Vacuum couch and under cushions
Organize and clean coffee table
Dust window sills and blinds
Make that room shine
Get rid of crap we don't need anymore

Day three: (Dining area)
Clean off dining table
Vacuum
Dust window sills and blinds
Get rid of any and all crap lying around where it shouldn't be

OK, the project continues so until tomorrow. Good night, sleep tight and may God bless and keep you all safe.

Shower scum

Today is Thursday, it's 5:50 a.m. and I'm thinking...shower scum. Is that not crazy? I even looked shower scum up on-line and this is what I learned. Shower scum is the gradual accumulation of soap residue and body oil. Yep! That stuff built up on the walls of your tub or shower is your very own (and anyone else who uses the shower) body oil. So, basically, you have weeks, or months or even years for some (not me) of your good ol' body oil built up on that shower wall. Now in't that nice (said with a southern accent for emphasis)? Yuk! That stuff has got to go.

So, I think, hmmm, body oil - a good de-greaser should work and one of the best is ammonia. Yep, good, stinky, old fashion ammonia - it's cheap too, about $1.00 or $2.00 for a whole bottle; if you can stand the smell. Well, I got up this morning, ran the shower (with the hope of loosening that horrible stuff) and sprayed my shower down with ammonia (I am now fully awake). I let it sit while I dried my hair and then I wiped, then scrubbed, then scrubbed harder - nah, stuff's still there (although not quite as much).

Can you believe I actually got up at 5:30 a.m. with soap scum on my mind (before coffee I might add) and scrubbed shower scum? I who detests housework scrubbed shower scum at 5:30 a.m., in the morning, before the sun was even awake. So, the moral of this story is...sleeping and being in bed really is much better than house work. I knew I had it right and the rest of the world had it wrong but the expectations of society made me feel like it was me. Me? Hmm, proven wrong by soap scum, who knew.

Today is day four and I completed days two and three which means I am still one day behind but I will complete day four on day five which, lucky for me, I haven't scheduled any housework for.

OK, I need help with shower scum. That is awful stuff! I scrubbed and scrubbed and used this Lime-away stuff that's suppose to just "melt" it away but I do not believe my carpel tunnel is now flared-up because of the "melting" process which was supposedly taking place. The shower looks much better but perfect it is not. Anyway, I am now on the search for the perfect shower scum dissolver. Maybe I'll discover it somewhere along the way like I did the cure to dust allergies, make millions and then hire a live-in maid (ahhh, to dream).

Good news, not only did I complete days two and three (albeit late) but I also prepared dinner for my husband. Do I rock or what? OK, maybe if I rocked at all this domestication stuff I wouldn't have started this blog but hey, baby steps people baby steps.

Tomorrow I will complete day four and assess the damage of another room so I can proceed with my house cleaning, organization project. Next week, I may even add an exercise plan to the mix...or not.

Good night and God bless.

Off to a good start???

Well, I was off to a good start. Day one went beautifully, then came day two and then day three. On day two I left for work at 6:00 a.m. and did not return home for more than 20 min. until about 8:30 p.m. at which time I fell into bed, read my bible and dropped into a dead sleep. My son is heading off to college and we held a good-bye party for him so when I got home from work I gathered food and other "party" stuff and headed off, to my wonderful friend, Dondie's house (she has a pool and offered to host the party) for the party. OK, I am just sure my only eldest son getting ready to travel across the country, away from his mother, to live, away from his mother (that's me), should not only buy me a bit of leeway in not cleaning but I absolutely have the perfect excuse to fall into bed for an entire week and sleep away the misery and sorrow of my baby leaving me.

Now day three: Well, I had to take my youngest son to get his driver's license (which is almost the same as sending him across the country to live since he'll never, ever be home anymore), then work the late shift getting home at 6:15 p.m., eat (can never miss out on that) and then I was off to bible study. Then I came home around 8:45 p.m. and fell into bed once again. Notice days two and three did not involve a nap so I not only gave up cleaning I gave up my my nap because there was simply no time (now anyone who knows me knows that no nap is BIG).

Today is day four and I don't believe I have to run off anywhere after work so we'll see if I can get caught up a bit. I'll let you know later today. Off to work for now, have a blessed day all.

Mission accomplished

Day one went down without a hitch. My master bathroom counter is clutter and dust free, my sinks are shining and you can see in my mirror. Actually, I'm not sure I don't prefer the mirror smudgy because I am sure I see more winkles on my face than the last time it was clean. Nonetheless, all this with nary a need for a nap. Not to worry, I'm sure a nap is still in order sometime before this day is over - it is the day of rest you know and I wouldn't want to ignore the day God Himself said I should rest; now would I?

I also discovered, in my endeavor to overcome being a sluggard, the cure for dust allergies. How can that be? You ask. Well, you see, I haven't had bad allergies in a while and I wondered why that was (though I'm glad for it) and when I began to clean off that bathroom counter and discovered all the dust which has slowly accumulated I realized I have unintentionally used the homeopathic method of curing my allergies. Brilliant! Don't you agree.

Those of you familiar with homeopathy will understand this, those of you who are not let me explain. Homeopathic medicine is an alternative form of medicine which basically very slowly introduces the matter (in this case dust) which causes the problem in very small amounts into the system of the victim (that would be me) resulting in the build up immunities by the body, thus curing the person of the symptoms. I think it is entirely plausible that the slow, consistent accumulation of dust in my bathroom may have, unbeknown est to me, cured my dust allergies. OK, that may seem like a far stretch to you but I'm going with it, if you don't mind, because at least that gives me justification for allowing that much dust to be in my house.

The Plan

OK, I said I'd devise a plan and I have. The first thing I will do is: assess the damage. I will do this room by room but not all at once; I could do it all at once but I believe that will be way too overwhelming and cause me to feel the need for yet another nap or cause me to go into a deep, dark depression which can only be relieved by leaving the house to get away from it all.

So, I will take one room at a time, assess the damage and then proceed with cleaning and organizing that room. Once that room is done I will move on to the next room until, viola the entire house has been cleaned and organized. Sounds easy enough, right? Right?

Master bathroom:

Assessment:
clutter on counter
dust on counter
dirty mirror
dirty counter
clutter under counter cabinet
tub needs cleaning
window sills dusty
blinds dusty
shower stall dirty
shower stall glass has scum build-up
toilet room floor needs mopped
toilet needs cleaned everyone (top to bottom)

Solution:

Day one: de-clutter and clean counter top
throw away old, never used products and stuff
clean sinks
clean mirrors

Day two: de-clutter and clean under counter
throw away old, never used products and stuff
damp wipe/dust bottom of counter
organize area

Day three: Scrub shower and tub
Clean scum build-up from glass and tile.
Dust window sills and blinds

Day four: Clean toilet
Mop toilet floor
Empty trash
Vacuum bathroom carpet

Wow! Four days to clean one room. Seems like a long time but I suppose that beats what I've been doing which isn't much of anything.

Disclaimer: Nothing in my house (except the shower stall, actually has anything growing on it) I do actually manage to keep things sanitary but I absolutely hate it and the clutter has gotten out of control. I cannot stand to let dishes pile up and the kitchen garbage is emptied regularly so I am hopeful that I am not a lost cause.

I will begin on day one - tomorrow which is Sunday. I know it's the day of rest but I promise I'll take a nap after completing day one.

By the way, today is my son's birthday and he is craving PaPa Murphy's Pizza for dinner so I'm off the hook for cooking. Ho hum, well, it is his day.

Devising a plan

OK, everyone needs a plan. A mission statement maybe??? No, just a good ol' plan should suffice. My plan today, other than taking a nap, will be to devise a plan. I need to start slow and planning doesn't actually require me to clean anything; I think I'm off to a good, slow start don't you?

First and foremost I am committing NOT to buy anything to assist me in planning this plan of mine. I say this because I am famous for buying "how to" books only to have them become part of the endless clutter. I know how, it's the doing I'm having a problem with. I have book after book on cleaning and organization...if only I could find them. I have so much stuff already that I will only buy something which is absolutely necessary to the "cleaning of my house" process but only AFTER I have tried to find an adequate substitute which I probably already own anyway. I will confess all purchases here on this blog to hold me accountable to you, not that there is any you out there but hey a girl's gotta feel important, for any unnecessary expenditures.

Did I mention I cleaned my sister's kitchen this morning? I did. She fed me and kept me, I cleaned; maybe there's hope for me yet.

Friday night

Well, I'm at my sister's house for the night so I managed to get out of cleaning house for another day. Tomorrow I will return home to an utterly out of control mess and rather than clean it I'll probably take a nap. I promise I will be devising a "plan" to get my house under control but really, I'm sure it can wait a day or two.

OK, maybe I'm not actually a sluggard but when it comes to housework I am. I hate house work and anything to do with domestication. I don't like to clean and I don't like to cook. The problem with all this dislike is: 1) I am not of the income level to hire it out and 2) It keeps piling up when you ignore it.

I am a 46 year old wife and mother. I have two boys almost 16 (in two days) and an 18 year old heading off to college. I also have a wonderful, loving husband who, thank God, loves to cooks (so we are well fed).

I am hoping to devise a plan with this blog to overcome or at least get a handle on this house of mine and figure out how to get over being a housework sluggard.