The Countdown Continues ...

... finally. Actually, everything about this year is "off" from my usual scheduling. So, I'm overhauling my countdown. I think this year I may have some other season's decorations here. :)
This weekend a niece came to visit. She's never been here before, and actually only stayed about 24 hours. But I was glad she came at all, totally enjoyed the visit. Plus, her visit was my impetous to get several projects done.
For now, the house is clean and that gives me a good starting point for keeping it clean as I go. Because I plan to semi-retire at the end of the year (will only be working half as much), I'm not going to do closets and cabinets and such this year. I will be able to work on those throughout the next year instead.
My major projects (guest room; re-caulking the bathtub; dining room chairs) are done. I need to take some time to sew on long-neglected projects.
Next weekend ... Labor Day ... I will switch to fall decorations. I have already changed the dining room table. I got really lucky, and found a new area rug with a gorgeous fern pattern, on sale! It changed the whole look of the room (and the ratty old rug actually doesn't look bad ... out on the cement porch! LOL!). Then I found dollar store dishes that match the rug! I left my colorful summery setting on for yesterday, but today I'm changed out. With some things added in that I have in storage, I'll have a nice fall look going on. In October I'll add in the few Halloween things I have (don't usually do much there).
Since I'll be taking 6 vacations days, spread out to be 2 5-day "weekends", in November, I won't do as much Christmas decorating earlier in November. I will have some Thanksgiving deco in with the Christmas. The weekend after Thanksgiving is when I'm planning to put up the "big" tree ... hoping for help on that.
I'm much less organized than usual at this point; that's at least in part the "after the party" let down today. There are still a few things coming up. The most important is my niece's wedding in 2 months.
OK, since I don't think there's anyone out there reading this anyway, I'll stop babbling for now. I will attach some pictures of the new table setting & rug.