Practice Pies

Ahhh, Thanksgiving.

It is here again.  ALREADY!  Whaaaaa?  How can it be?  I dunno, but it is.

We will be having our first Thanksgiving dinner here at the studio.

We are so anxious to see these bandits:

 

Oh yeah, let's not forget how happy we will be to also see these hooligans:

We will be missing Dave and Chad, but they are blessed with lots of family and we totally understand there just isn't enough time to visit everyone.   

I havent cooked for this crew very often.

Once, I attempted to make them breakfast.  Disaster.

Then I made Lasagna one time.  Can you say Mojave Dessert?  It was dry and not much better than Stouffer's. 

No offense, Stouffers.

So, needless to say, I am a little nervous for them.

I have practiced my cornbread dressing and gotten the approval of two of the toughest, most honest critics.  Mike and my mom.

Then, Friday, Mom helped me practice making pies -- Pumpkin and Pecan.

We even made the pie crusts. 

They were delicious, if I must say so myself. 

Aside from being thrilled about delicious pies, I was even more thrilled to spend the afternoon with my Mama.

No...I didnt take a picture of her.  "What's up with that?" you say?  I dunno.  I haven't been feeling much love for the camera, lately. 

Plus, it wasnt until I went to pick up our empty pie plates, after she left, that I realized I wanted to remember this moment.

It was kinda like old times.  Only, in the old days, I used to come home and help her.  We would chop onions and celery, make cornbread and sit at the dining room table and talk and flip through magazines. 

 

 It was an awesome day. 

I hope you are having awesome days!

See you again soon!

Musings on a Beautiful, Fall Evening

I was sitting here at my dining room table taking a break from the long day, just being still and listening. 

The TV is off, no ipod is playing, just the sounds of this very moment in our life.

The sound of the office chair squeaking as Ronnie surfs the web.

The sound of a whirling drill and screws falling to the floor as Michael (my nephew) puts the remainder of the handles on the kitchen cabinets.  Occasionally, we break the silence and chat.  Oh, how I enjoy a good chat with all my nieces and nephews. 

The sound of Jake barking at the patio door wanting to come in.  Both he and Maggie bark and scratch at the door to come inside, but he is most persistent.  Jake's plea is a soft brush of his paw on the door while Maggie's is an urgent-sounding, heavy swipe.  On the other hand, his bark is a demand while hers is a polite request.  Oh, my crazy, beautiful dogs.

I look out the back door as the sun sets on this day and a feeling of overwhelming gratitude overcomes me.  With every falling leaf my mind releases.  All worries, all fears fade away with the light of day.  The only thing that remains is the shadows of the trees and the gratitude.  My heart is full.  My life is full.  I thank God for every moment of this beautiful journey on which He has sent me. 

This is a moment I truly want to remember.

Wishing you many moments, Blog Friends.  And thanking you all for taking time out of your busy, beautiful lives to stop in at Casa Causpanic. 

Peace be with you all. :)

World Series Chatter

Under no circumstances would I pitch to Puljos.  They need to walk him every time.  Even one run is too many in the World Series

Dang!!  Tied already??

What?  They are already calling the bullpen???

I dont know if I can watch this game (as I throw down my mini chocolate chips).

Come on Napoli!

YEAH!  Base hit.

RUN RUN RUN!!!  Out. Dangit

Oh no!  Chris Carpenter has a 6-0 record at home??  Great, just great :(  Oh man!!  That was beautiful!!

That WAS a good bunt.

Young!  Why do you do that!  What an idiot.  (he swung at a ball he realllly had to reach for - strike).

Ohhhhhh pretty catch (same guy that was an idiot a little while ago.  Which, I dont really think he is an idiot.  I just say those things when I watch sports). 

Come on boys lets get those bats swinging. 

I could no longer watch. 

The game is now over and our Texas team's destiny did not include winning the World Series title this year.

I feel for them...they have worked so hard. 

But, I am still very proud of our Texas Rangers and maybe we will get 'em next year!!

Finally Getting that Fall-Like Feeling

It's early!

7:29 to be exact. 

 It has been a long time since I have been up this early.  It was easy to get up as I did not sleep like a rock last night.  It was hot in here.

I have been awake since abot 6 a.m.

I like it.  Especially since Ronnie is still asleep.  That's a switch.  Usually, he is up at the crack of dawn.

This morning, quiet time, alone is refreshing.

We all need a little quiet time, alone, huh?

First thing I did after I got up for good was look out our dining room french doors.  I have wanted French doors for a hundred years and finally have them.  I love it!

I was able to do some stretches and shoot a few prayers up to the Lord, too.

Then I made some juice.

We finished our romaine, so I blended

1 grapefruit

2 apples

a few sprigs of curly leaf parsley

and added

about 8 oz. water and

1 tsp raw organic coconut oil

I was going to add some honey, but I figured the apples would do the job of sweetening it up.  It did for the most part.

The weather is fantastical this morning!!

It is 64 degrees right now. 

It was so hot inside at 6 a.m., that I opened the little window on the door to the dog run. 

Ahhhhhh

Have I ever mentioned that I love this time of year???!!

I live for this time of year, actully...seriously. 

I know we arent like totally into fall yet, but it feels pretty good, non the less.

That is all I have for now.

Enjoy your wonderful fall mornings.

Later, Gators.

We Will Dance

Hey, Hey, Hey! 

Uh-oh...I've gone from one Hey to three.  Talk about, "...one step forward and two steps back...", three in this case :)

We do the same dance with the studio, but in that case, it is a sign of progress. 

Recently, we reached a point where most of the tools and wood could be put away and things started looking cleaner and more spacious. 

Then, it was a mess again while we were unpacking the boxes that we had there on site.  But, once we decided what was going into the "keep", "donate", "garage sale" and "trash" piles, we were actually able to find a home for most our "keep" stuff.  BIG step forward. 

Remember...we went from a 1742 sq ft home to a 1000 sq ft building. 

As you may have seen in this post, we have accumulated a lot of junk stuff in our almost sixteen years together.  

 

Can you believe we even purged a lot before we moved?  Shocking, I know. That being said, we still had about ten or fifteen boxes to go through hiding in my brothers garage. 

We knew the day would come when would have to unpack those boxes and we had put it off as long as we could.  That is the mess you see in our Very Messy, Unfinished Preview.  Two steps back.

The good news for everyone, though...

...there is always another step forward! 

Yee-haw!

We pretty much took a day off yesterday for our much needed fun day.

Then today...well...lets just say we got our DirecTv installed :)

We want to move in tomorrow!  We don't have a fridge yet and won't for at least another week.  We do have a cooler and beer, though.  That should get us through the weekend :D And just for fun...

And, of course, what would a post about dancing be without one of my favorite Steven Curtis Chapman love songs.  Yep, our anniversary is getting close, so I am feeling all lovey dovey and blessed, in love with my husband and in love with marriage.  Yes, even after almost 16 years together.  It is worth a listen if you have never heard it.

Saturday Snapshots

I really look forward to getting snapshots for Saturday Snapshots (SS).  Sometimes I just go through my day, not really paying attention to the moments.  SS reminds me to pay attention and enjoy.  But, sometimes, on Saturdays we just veg.  And, that seems to be the norm lately.  One of those couch potato phases we go through every now and again.  But...then the time came for the birthday party. Yay!

Our niece, Christi, and our niece-in-law, Melissa both have a birthday on the 18th of March.  What a co-inky-dink, huh.  My nephews bar-b-qued some beef and chicken fajitas with all the trimmings. 

So, as I wipe the sweat off my brow saying, "Whew", I thank Christi and Mel (as we call her) for this installment of Saturday Snapshots! 

 

• The twins helped their Aunt Christi and Mom with their candles.
• We tried to get a nice picture of Christi with her goof ball brothers, but...
• The last one of all three of them isn't bad...if you don't take into consideration that the boys look drunk.  They aren't. 
• The one in yellow has a birthday on the 28th! 

It's hard to believe I used to baby sit them!  I used to bribe them, too.  They would get a snow cone if they would sit down and watch TV for an hour so I could take a nap.  They say they always did it and rarely got snow cones.  I seem to remember many a trip to the Snow Wiz, though.  Plus, we all know they wouldn't have sat still if they never received their reward.  That is for sure!

Thoughts on Japan

Man...I don't think I can even put into words what I am feeling about the people in Japan.   It's breaking my heart.  It has been breaking my heart for the last 3 days.  I cant even watch the news very long, anymore. 

I think because it is too scary.  I am over here, a world away from them and my biggest worry is about sheetrock, electrical and cabinets and I let it get me down...some.  Those folks have to figure out how to live from minute to minute.  They have to endure the pain of loss of loved ones.  I can't even begin to imagine how a person draws the strength to carry on.  But, somehow, they do.   Each day that passes I thank God for that mercy and I pray that our prayers somehow touch their spirits and lets them know that they are loved and that they can endure.  I believe they do.

I read on Bower Power today that "...in Japan, they believe that the Cherry Blossom is an omen of good fortune and an emblem of love, affection and the coming of spring."  Don't those words just bring you a little glimmer of hope?  That's all they need...just a glimmer.  Please keep praying for them.  Even when we feel there is nothing else we can do, we can pray.

May God's blessings pour upon you and your loved ones today and always.  Peace be with you, my blog friends! <3

Ashleigh and Colton's Reception Video

OMgosh!!  So much catching up to do!  Still have a post about Christmas with our grandkids to get on here.  It has been harder than I thought it would be to focus on the blog while not having a space of our own.  For me, anyway...Ol' Dawg has been cranking them out!  I love his stories.

I cannot believe I went to this wedding without my camera!!!  What was I thinking?  I really wanted to get pics of the decorating process and all and make her another little video, but one cannot do that unless one has their camera handy.  Anyway, hopefully, CHRISTI DELAINE PHOTOGRAPHY will allow me to use a few of her pics in a full post about their wedding. 

Right now I can say it was beautiful, it went off without a hitch and I know our sweet niece is happy.  We all really love that young man (and not just because he has an awesome name).  More to come....

CONGRATULATIONS ASHLEIGH AND COLTON!!!!

Top 10 Things to Love About Being Back in BC

 

Picture Source

•  All you can get done in 15 minutes-- I wanted to get a card for my nieces shower before I went to help decorate and of course, I didn't think about it until fifteen minutes before I was supposed to be at the church.  I went halfway across town to CVS, picked a card (and we all know picking a card can take time especially since I am if one is indecisive) and got back across town to the church all in 15 minutes.  I made it!  Ok, Ok, some may say I was a minute late, but I say our time pieces were just unsynchronized. 
• Going to WalMart and finding front row parking by the garden center--Ahhh, that's the best.  There is actually a very good chance the very first parking space by the garden center will be open and waiting just for you!  Dickinson? Fuhgit about it.
• Taking the same routes I took 28 years ago when I started driving--I guess my subconscious takes me by the same routes as back when and I love it.  I love that 6th street doesn't have that many stop signs (shhhh...don't tell the city), and all the trees that line both sides of Avenue K, near Marguerite St.  I love going into the neighborhood off Marguerite and seeing the house on the corner where my friend Mark used to live and driving by Avenue L on that side to see the house my friend Denise lived in.  Oh the memories of stalking the cute guy across the street pitching tents, playing Atari and walking all the way to the corner store on Avenue F.
• 50 Pot Holes in every cubic yard of practically every street--Ok, that is really just a subtle hint to someone who might be reading from the City of BC.  Is there not a budget for street repair?  And please don't think adding more stop signs will make said potholes less evident.
• Running into old friends that used to be close with my brother, Chris, and hearing their memories of him--I saw an old friend today that he adored.  We reminisced about how long it had been, she shared a story about him and another friend that was in the same room laughed because the story was "so Chris".  It is quite comforting that others still remember him and that he made an impact on their lives.
• Mama's breakfast/cooking--One never tires of their Mama's cooking!  When we first moved here from Corpus Christi several years ago, Mom cooked for us everyday.  I remember back when I was a kid, she would make huevos(eggs), bacon, pappas(potatoes), pork chops, ranchero sauce....  Now-a-days, breakfast is usually eggs and bacon and coffee.  We don't try to stop her from making breakfast unless she looks like she isn't feeling well.  I can sense that it means a lot to her to feel useful.  She will always be useful to me even if the time comes when she can do nothing, but you cant convince her of that. 
• Family--Our Bay City people never went to visit us in Dickinson. Well, they did go to our house when my nephew was staying with us but, obviously that doesn't count because they went to see him we were just by product :D.  After he left nobody went except Mom.  Reckon there is a subtle hint there?  Who knows...they may not come to our house here either.  We dont mind doing the visiting, at least we wont have to drive an hour now.  We can just drive up the road.  I plan on visiting my Aunt Mercy more and my cousins are just 15 minutes away.  I hope and pray we can make the time to spend some time together.
• Did I mention the parking at Walmart????--Well, it bears mentioning again.  Oh no, I almost forgot!!  THE FISHING--Cant wait till Big Brother and Ol' Dawg are able to go chunk a lure.  We were somewhat busy w/the remodel last week and the water was muddy on Friday, but the time is coming.  They did go shoot guns today.  As long as they are having a little fun :)
• We are one hour and a half closer to San Antonio and Corpus Christi--Our San Antonio people went to visit us about twice a year and our Corpus person...well...the fish are always biting, the deer are always moving, the girls are always hot and the beer is always cold...anyway...since we have to drive to see them too, at least it will not be via the Houston freeways and traffic.  That will be much better. 

And the NUMBER ONE thing I love about being back in good ol' BC...........................

• Being here for Mom--It really is a blessing to be here to take her to doctor appointments, the Dollar Store, WalMart, out to eat, to McDonald's to get an ice cream (shhhh...don't tell Dr. Neret), drink coffee with her, watch QVC and CNN.  I am open to whatever it is the Lord has planned for us to enjoy. I am painfully aware that Mama wont be here forever, none of us will, for that matter.   This time with her is precious and I am so very thankful for it.  I cant wait til spring when, the good Lord willing, we will go to the Local Nurseries and look at all the beautiful plants. 

Do you have a top ten list of loves??  If so, please share! We would love to read them. 

Until we meet again...many blessings, joy and love to you!

 

Final 4026 Farewell

Howdy, folks!  I hope everyone is well!  We are well, but tired.  Holy Moly!  This move took the wind out of our sails.  But...we are done!

Maggie says, "I'll drive the first leg".Yee-haw! The taping of boxes, decisions to keep or discard, the cleaning of the carpets and house from top to bottom (both of which, thankfully, we hired someone to do), the filling of nail holes, paint touch ups and the seemingly endless days and lightning fast, restless, sleep-on-the-floor nights is all over. 

The actual transfer of all the junk our belongings went well thanks to old friends and some new friends.  Our old friend, I'll call him Easy Rider, as I haven't had a chance to ask him if he minds being in a famous blog (a girl can have hope!), loaned us a 20 ft enclosed trailer.  Not only that, but he also took a day off of work and drove it from Dickinson to BC for us!  That was a lifesaver.  Another old friend that helped us was our next door neighbor.  I'll refer to him as, "Sweet Young Man".  He gave us lent us his little trailer and we pulled it to BC so many times, it almost thought BC was its home.

 

We are surely going to miss him and his family.  My wish for you is to have neighbors like him and his wife.  He helped my husband with many tasks out of the kindness of his heart, plain and simple.  His wife thought of us many times when they cooked...chicken enchiladas, buckeyes, SNICKERDOODLES...OOO WEEE, everything they shared was good.  And, their baby boy was so cute...such a little man and he never fails to bring a smile to our face! 

Our new friends, Treyhan and Jeff, are two young men from a recovery house in Dickinson that we hired to help us move.  I didn't have a chance to ask them if they minded being in a famous blog, either, but something tells me they would be ok with it.  These guys loaded up and unloaded that big ol' trailer.  They didnt know us from Adam, but they gave their all.  They wanted to take any task that they could off our hands.  They really earned their money.  Not to be overly dramatic, but, I will be forever grateful to them for taking such a load off my husband and I pray the Lord will help them through their trials and addictions and that they will find themselves rich with His favor.  We want to do something special for Easy Rider...any ideas? 

Dang, we have a lot of crap.  We are still in awe of how much stuff we have.  There was about a day and a half when there was very little in the house.  A few of our belongings and two mattresses on the floor.  We were perfectly content and happy [of course we both still had our computers :)].  We did do some purging as we packed, but we STILL brought a lot of stuff with us.  It won't be until we finish with the renovations that we will know exactly how much we can keep.  We are going to have to find a way to part with some of these things!

Reno news...we have finished the fence and the door to the fenced in area is installed!  It will be framed out tomorrow and then it is on to the window in the soon to be bathroom.  Pics are coming soon.  I am just still so tired from the move and adding to it with the work at the studio, but we will get it together soon.  Thanks for checking back even though it seems like we fell off the face of the earth...again.  It may be a few days, but there is more to come.  Take care, blog friends and thank you so much for sharing your time with us!

 

Doin' the Limbo

Uh...no, not that limbo. 

More like the "stuck in limbo".

OMG!!  We have to be out of here and have carpets cleaned and walls touched up by the 25th of this month.  I'm freakin' out a little, here, peeps!  So freaked out, I am paralyzed.  Just stuck.  Can't get the motivation to do what needs to be done.  And that is just here.  We have a bathroom to build and windows to install before we move into our new place.  Oh yeah, and a FENCE!  Can you say, FREAK OUT!!!

The good thing is, I freak out next to my best friend...my love...my rock.  "We are a pair" as he says.  Together, we can handle it.  We can do it.  We will do it!  Is this pep talk working for you?  Yes...it is?  Oh, you were just kidding?  Yeah, it didn't do much for me either.  

The thing is, for me...it's all so overwhelming, and that has me stuck.  It just seems like too big a task to tackle.  It isnt, really, if we would just get to tackling.  Another thing that keeps me in limbo is that in my gut, I just dont feel like it is going to happen.  My brain tells me it is, but my body listens to my gut, as is evident by my butt :)  Then there is the fact that I am a procrastinator and my notorious procrastination has hit a whole new level of "last minute".  

But, you know what??  I feel better now that I put it out there.  I feel energized.  I think I will pack the master closet.  Right now!  Wish me luck.  And for you...I wish you a great day filled with joy, peace, love and laughter!  Now, get to it!  (That was for me.  Promise, wasn't trying to boss you around.) 

Note:  Sorry, but I don't remember where I found the limbo picture.  If anybody recognizes it, please let me know.

Christmas Crafts

We have been trying really hard to get our Christmas decorations up.  My hat is off to those of you who actually get your decorations up the week of Thanksgiving.  Oh, how I aspire.  But, here it is December 11th and we are just now finalizing our decorations.  Which, that is actually ok since we wait until the Epiphany to take them down. 

The web is chock full of inspiration for Christmas crafts.  The first place I usually look to is MarthaStewart.com.

Love this Ribbon Poinsettia Wreath 

 So I made this one...

Now, I went to one of the major craft stores to buy the materials necessary to make this wreath.  The Styrofoam wreath forms were $3.99 and up. 

Normally, I wouldn't care, but we are really trying to find the best deals possible now-a-days, so I went to the trusty Dollar Tree and they had a plain, wood wreath for $1.00! Ok, it IS a little different, but it is workable.  Not only that, but I am making some glitter trees and the cones at the craft store were $3.99!  Dollar Tree...yep...$1.00.  Yes, they are a little shorter and smaller, but I can make it work.  Take the four bucks you saved and go get ya a latte or a Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milk Shake from Chick Fil A (stay tuned and maybe we will have a homemade version that will save you some calories.  We sure are going to try!) 

It worked fine.  I went there tonight to get a few more things and they had Styrofoam wreath forms also for a buck which they did not have the other day.  Save yourself some money and time and check out the Dollar Tree first. 

Next, I so loved this blue spruce wreath trio, also inspired by Martha Stewart 

Which led to this:

I had some old Dollar Store wreaths we had used at our house in BC.  I am so glad I found a way to put them to use here in Dickinson.  And then there is the nutcracker idea I found at House of Hepworths.  I bought these at the Dollar Tree.  I had actually been there the day before I read HOH's post, but I did not remember seeing any nutcrackers.  So, of course I went back.  This is them before:

 

Then I stripped them of their hair.

Don't they look much younger??  At first, I painted them white, like Allison's, because I really love them white. 

But it didn't really go with my Christmas colors so I took a chance and tried painting one gold.  I like it. I did not think it would be as pretty as the silver one Allison did, but I think it is.  Now, I just have to finish them.

 

And this garland we have had for years.  I am the type that likes everything.  Aren't multi-colored lights so awesome? But white lights are beautiful and elegant.  But, blue or green or red lights are unique and always look great.  Same thing with Christmas trees.  I like a multi-colored tree, I like monochromatic trees with white lights.  I like it all...which makes it very hard for me to pin down an exact "style" for myself.  Anyway, these are from my multi-colored decor days. 

I am going to transform them to fit into our golden decor of today.  Me and my friend, Can o' Krylon paint! 

For real, folks.  Final Christmas decor pics between now and Monday.  I know, I know...I said that a week ago, but like I said...For Real!

Sell Your House, but Save Your Marriage

Trying to sell our house has been hard on us.  Especially since we have never had a problem with selling in the past.  We have never waited more than three weeks for an offer or a contract.  In our attempt to sell this time, we have been on and off the market a few times this year.   This last go round has been the only time we have had any lookers and that is probably for a contract on a lease, since we have it listed for lease also. 

Selling your house in a market such as todays can by trying on the soul...both souls, if you are married.  For my practical husband, it is about money.  How long will it last?  And it isn't like one can just go out and get a job in these economic times.  Especially a funny looking. bad interviewee like me.  So, he sits on edge and worries.

For me it is about the emotions.  Always about the emotions with me.  It is the emotional battery that comes along with opening up my haven to the critcal eyes of others only to have someone comment that what they noticed was some of the paint was scratched off the moulding by the back door. Uh, hello, we can (and now we will) paint that.  Big Freakin' deal.  That is what they noticed?  Not a word about the beautiful architecture?  Nothing about the large master bath with two separate vanities and a gorgeous garden tub.  No comment on the humongous master closet or tons of cabinetry in the open kitchen?  I personnaly liked the comment from the buyer that said, "it was the perfect layout and clean and showed beautifully".  Unfortunately, she did not like the surrounding area.  I'll give her that.

We live in a sweet little neighborhood.  All the homes are beautiful and none older than five years.  There is one way in and one way out.  It is a cozy community with only four streets plus the one connecting them all.  But, this cozy little community is set in the middle of a less attractive surrounding area.  It isnt a horrible surrounding area.  I mean, it doesn't bother us.  We did notice the area is not pristine and all country club like, but it just didn't make a difference to us. Our neighbors are good people.  That is what mattered to us.  Some might say that some of the homes in the surrounding area may be occupied by...hoarders, lets say.  I happen to have it on good authority that one gentleman that lives up the road leading to our neighborhood lost his wife a couple of years ago.  He has never recovered from that.  He just cant get the "get up and go" to carry on.  So, the maintenance on his house has suffered.  So sad.  Also, some might consider a trailer park behind their neighborhood a problem.  It hasn't been.  Anyway, I know it is silly and I am being too sensitive, but I feel hurt and angry. 

So you combine hurt and angry with on edge and worried and it makes for a sometimes explosive combination.  Little things become a nuisance and annoying.  Patience runs thin.  Suddenly, tv shows you have endured because your loved one loves them, irritate the be-jeebers out of you.  Dont get me wrong...we are not on the rocks (although an Absolute and Tonic on the rocks sounds good right about now).  It is just more discomfort than we have ever felt in our 14 or 15...or 150 years together.

But there is ONE thing.  You are a "pair".  You are a "pair" blessed with love and each other.  And, remembering that as a "pair" faith, hope and love will pull you through anything.  I cannot wait until the timing is right for the perfect family to come and buy their perfect home.  We are a-waitin'!! 

House Showing

Whoop!  We got another call to show the house!  Outstanding!  Actually, we also got a call Friday afternoon, but I had gone to BC to take Mom to the doctor and left the house a mess.  I dont know why I dont learn, but here is one thing anyone selling a house can take from this post.  ALWAYS, leave your house "show" ready.  NEVER leave it even a little messy.  Even if you haven't had a call in days or weeks, ALWAYS assume you will get a call from from the one person willing to pay $20 thousand more than your asking price on the day you think it is ok to leave it a little messy.

That is what our house is right now...just a little messy.  A little clutter here and there and it needs the cleaning fairy to come make a pass with the dust rag, vacuum and broom.  Actually, we call that person Houdini. 

It is no secret that I do not like to clean.  It really is just laziness.  I can admit it.  But, I like the feel of a clean, uncluttered space.  So, I have recently employed a new cleaning routine that might work for you or might not.  Most forty-somethings have everything all figured out on their own, but maybe it can help someone.  I'm a slow learner.  For me, this little routine makes all the difference in the world.  I used to go room by room--deep clean one room at a time.  It seemed to take forever because I did it all at once.  It may not have, I never timed it, but it seemed to.  Now, its seems much easier and quicker.  And maybe even more of a challenge.  That may be the reason for the change in my attitude.  Everybody loves a challenge, no? 

So tell us already! 

Cleaning Rotation

• Mon/Wed/Fri -- Declutter, Sweep and Mop, Dust/Clean Surfaces
• Tues/Thurs/Saturday -- Bathrooms, Kitchen, Vacuum Floors and Sofa

Cleaning Intervals

Ok, what I do now...I have three sets of cleaning intervals for every other day, listed above.  So, every two days the whole house is deep cleaned within an hour and a half each day.  Here's how it goes.  I set the timer on the stove for twenty minute intervals:

• First twenty minute interval is to declutter the whole house.  Granted the two spares and the guest bath usually don't have any clutter, so for us, this includes kitchen, living room, wash room, master bedroom, bath and closet.  If Houdini has been keeping up with his job, most times it doesnt even take the whole twenty minutes. 
• Second twenty minute interval is for cleaning all surfaces.  This includes kitchen/counters, coffee tables, nik-naks, bedside tables and so on.   
• Third twenty minutes is for sweeping and mopping.  I usually use the broom to keep the baseboards clean during this time also.  Sometimes our dogs find it necessary to leave their paw print on the moulding and wall and I have to give it a wipe with a towel, but otherwise a pass with the broom every other day keeps the dust at bay.  This interval does take the whole twenty minutes for me.  Our house is 1760 sq. ft. and is about 70% carpet, 30 percent hard floors and all baseboards.  Trying to beat the clock is what makes this part fun.

Now, the second day, the intervals are a little more work intensive, but quick, non the less.

• First twenty minutes on these days start with a good bathroom cleaning for both the master and guest bath.  Now, I have already swept and mopped and cleaned surfaces, so basically its just toilets/showers and sinks/faucets.  We have a garden tub also, but I usually wipe that down with a wash rag after a good long soak in the tub.  This can all be done in twenty minutes, because it was just done two days before. 
• Second twenty minute interval, hit the kitchen.  it's time to unload that dishwasher, deep clean the stove/oven and every other time, the refrigerator. 
• Third twenty minute interval is for vacuming all carpets and sofas!  This is another challenging interval.  But if I stay focused I can get it done.

Hmmmm...did I forget anything?  I am sure I did.

The good news is, when this is done every day, many of the intervals dont take all twenty minutes.  I like to do it before bed so we wake up to a clean house with a clean start.  It doesnt seem like it would, but it does make a difference.

Obviously, I dont stick to this every day or I wouldnt have had to turn down a request to show the house.  But, I can say it is becoming more of a habit. As for our showings, we haven't heard anything yet, but we still have our fingers crossed.

Post Thanksgiving Post

NOTE:  My apologies on the quality of my photos.  Not only did I not have the flash on, but we missed many opportunities to take more.  Guess that's what happens when you have your mind on Turkey! They are imperfect, like us, but I couldn't stand the thought of not having pictures from that day to look back on. 

Woo hoo!  You did it!  You made it through Thanksgiving!  Those of you that hosted the dinner this year undoubtedly are thinking you won't do it again next year.  But Thanksgiving hospitality is like having a baby...you will forget all the work entailed by March and by September you will be looking forward to filling your family's bellies with yummy food and love again.  Thank goodness.

I hope everyone had an incredible, "FULL-FILLING" day (I know wegot plenty full).  We started our day early with a good breakfast since we wouldn't be carving the turkey till after four p.m.  As I mentioned in this post, the holidays have been blah for me the last several years and Thanksgiving day started out no differently.  "Boo-turkey" was my mantra.  "Whatever" was my standard response for everything.  The trip to BC was quiet.  But, once we got to BC my mood got better.  Once we went to Leo and Pam's house my disposition got a little brighter.  By the end of the day, I didn't want to leave. 

Leo...expert chopperWhen we arrived at Pam and Leo's, about 1:15 or so, we found them choppin' and tidying.  We were the first ones there and enjoyed a short visit with them.  

Pam taking a little rest after a long day of whippin' up Turkey day dinner  

G-ma and Baby BoyIt is so cute how the twins so love their older cousins!   

Baby Girl and Baby boy with their cousin

Pam and Leo made the turkey, dressing, ham and gravy and Melissa and Christi made a lot of the sides: green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, broccoli rice casserole, oh my gosh I am getting full just thinking about it.  No, wait...its the three servings of left-overs I had today that is making me feel full.  They had pumpkin pie, pecan pie, pumpkin bread and sock it to me cake.  Oh, Lord, it was all so good!  The front room of the house was set up with long tables and everyone was able to sit together all at once. 

Topics included Ashleigh's up coming wedding, Jim Caviezal, Ashleigh's upcoming wedding, Black Friday, Facebook, Ashleigh's up coming wedding.  LOL, just kidding.  We actually hardly even talked about the wedding.  I had a chance to see a picture of "the dress" but I didn't look.  I don't want to see it till the day.         

Honey Boy

   Then it was time for the big game...A&M vs. Texas!  That was a blast.  Ashleigh's fiance, Colton, is a big Longhorn fan.  He was giving me a hard time about my Aggies and I guess I may have gigged his Longhorns a time or two also.  But, it was all in good fun.  I like that he can be a Longhorn and I can be an Aggie and we can still get along.  Like, Mr. Obama says, "we can disagree without being disagreeable".  He is a good sport which is more than I can say for a lot of people!!  I wont even mention that the Aggies won...oops.   

But, then it was time to leave.  Boo!  Or, as an Aggie would say, "tsssss" because booing is rude.  The trip home was uneventful, thank God, and we had a yummy midnight snack of turkey and dressing once we got here.  All in all it was a day for which I am truly Thankful!!  I hope everyone had a blessed, happ y day.