... 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.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Progression

I discovered a platter in a closet, and added it to the table. Also, on the advice of friends, I changed out the too-light large plates for the dark blue. It's getting more toward what I want now I think. :)

A Slight Improvement

I added a simple centerpiece of summer flowers. This helps, but I sitll don't like the way the table looks now.

Boring

I changed out my patriotic table for "summer". I missed. This is boring. I'm sure hoping *someone* out there reads this and has some suggestions!!!
I love the vintage tablecloth. I like the various dishes. I just don't think this "works" together. Or maybe there's just not enough? I don't have a real centerpiece, maybe it needs one? Does the mix of ceramic and plastic not work (it was ok on the previous setting)?
Suggestions welcome! :)

2010: The Countdown begins. Sort of.

The one thing I'm really good at is making lists and schedules. I even started a Yahoo group for List Makers. Of course, no one joined it. Oh well. Never the less, it's time to start lining up this year. I have some major changes in my life, and I hope to accomodate them.
I have my calendar lined up. Naturally, there will be changes to it. Things always come up at the "last minute". But with it blocked out, I have a starting point. I even created weekly pages, so I pretty much know what I need to accomplish each week.
The problem is, the whole process *should* start this weekend. But the one thing I can't plan around is the weather. Day after day after day of 90s ... occasionally near 100. While most of my house does have a/c (though we keep it not as cool as we'd like), the kitchen/den area does not. OK, that's not strickly true. There's a window unit working as hard as it can, and a fan. But it's miserably hot in there. The only way to tell there's any air is to step into the back hall/laundry room. Oh my!!! No a/c at all back there. Anyway, my point is, I can't really do the things I need to do. I have to try to avoid doubling up chores, as I know I'm too old to do them like I used to. My knees give me a lot of trouble these days.
Having said all that,I will run through a brief outline of the plan. Then I'll *try* to keep up with posting my progress (or changes of plans! LOL!).

Week 1: Clean the front hall and front bedroom; organize the 2 closets in the hall.
Work on one "special" project; put some time in on my grandson's (long overdue) quilt. Pack up the "patriotic" decorations, switch out to summery ones. Make at least one batch of cookie dough to freeze for baking later. Work on sorting the first of several boxes of paperwork.

Week 2: My niece is visiting. Hopefully we'll make the rounds of some flea markets and thrift shops. I'm always on the lookout for Christmasy things (and my friend and my niece help! LOL!). No cleaning projects planned, but perhaps I'll have a chance to go through some photo albums.

Week 3: Clean the guest room and the front bathroom, and organize the 2 closets in the bathroom. Maybe also organize the guest room closet. Work on cleaning and re-inforcing one of a set of dining chairs; and put some time into the quilt. Make a batch of cookie dough, or a pound cake, to freeze. Work on sorting more paperwork, or on photo albums.

Week 4: Clean the living room, stairwell, and dining room; organize the shelves and drawers in the built-in desk. Work on one of the chairs, and on the quilt. Make a batch of cookie dough to freeze. Continue work on the paperwork or albums.

Week 5: Reserving this weekend either for traveling (would love to go visit my brother and sister-in-law), or for company (hoping for a vist from another niece).

Week 6: My grandson is coming for a visit. He'll get here Sunday (if we go off, we'll be home in time!), and we will take him home Friday. We'll spend that weekend at my son's house with the grandkids and dogs. :)

This is far enough for one post, as it goes to near the end of August. No point in posting farther out than that, as too many things can change!

I would really love it if anyone reading this would post comments so I know you're out there! I'd also LOVE to have more followers.

Patriotic Table Runner

Red, White, and Blue

My Easter decorations have sequed into Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.