* DO YOU EVER? *

Do you ever get excited about house cleaning?? I must admit that I'm not much of a housekeeper. There is usually clutter and dust bunnies just about everywhere. I can't seem to keep up with it all.

I used to try a lot harder, but gave up years ago when I realized that my husband was never going to change, so why bother knocking myself out, when it'd look the same all over again in a few days, hours, minutes!

BUT, when I AM in the mood...look out! I was so excited when I went to sleep Saturday night because I'd finally bought new "cleaning stuff," and knew I'd be using them when I woke up Sunday. Weird? Not for me.

I'd been using watered-down Windex and watered-down all purpose spray cleaner for so long, they certainly weren't doing the job. And I'd completely ran out of one of my favorites: Soft Scrub with bleach. So, can't you understand my excitement when I knew I could actually do a great job of cleaning the kitchen?! And because of that, I was happy!

The radio was tuned to a favorite station and I think I actually whistled while I worked. It was one of those glorious, perfect days...sunshine & ideal temperatures...and did I wish I was outside? Nope! I gazed out my patio door from time to time and reveled in the beauty of it all, especially the birds at our bird-feeder, floating and swooping, waiting for their turn...all those except for those ill-behaved Blue jays!

This was not taken that day,
but at least you can see part of my kitchen!
Have I mentioned I LOVE this apartment?
 

In no time, the stove-top shined, the counter-tops were spot free, & the sink glistened!

Yesterday and today were semi-rainy and cloudy and I didn't feel like doing a thing.
Hey Mother Nature...please send more almost-perfect days. I want to keep cleaning!



* A LITTLE DECORATING, A LITTLE CLEANING, AND A JOB! *

A Little Decorating....

 

As you can see, the kitchen in our townhouse has definitely not been updated lately. It has the old wood grain countertops, old kitchen cabinets, and a white tile backsplash over the sink. The renters before us painted some of the walls red, which I don't dislike, and have actually come to embrace.

 

Months ago I decided I was going to put black and red "scrolly" stickers on the tile to give it a little umph. I found the black ones at Hobby Lobby but searched everywhere in stores and online for similar ones in red. I could not find any.

 

 

I came across other designs that I thought might work,

but it's too long and way too boring of a story, so here is the finale. Ta Da!

I just added those very few red squares to give it some red color and

 I think I did okay in achieving the Umph. What do you think?

 

Oh, and how do you like the tiny lights I put under the cabinets? It looks so pretty in the evening when they are the only lights on in the kitchen.

 

~~~

 

A Little Cleaning....

I don't have any photos to share, at this moment of any cleaning I've been doing. More on that later.... J

~~~

 

And, A Job......



 

Have I mentioned I'd been "semi" job hunting the past couple of months? Full-time or part-time, hopefully close to home. I wasn't being very picky, and yet it appeared that either I was too old, or didn't have the skills for much of anything! Depressing! So, just when I decided to forget about it, a job came along.

 

 

 

Isn't that how things usually happen?! It's like my favorite quote/personal mantra by Joseph Campbell:

 

"I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be."

 

For now, I'll just say this. It's part-time. I start tomorrow. It's close to home. And, I'm a bit nervous! Wish me luck, and I'll report back soon!

 

~~~

 

* I'd like to welcome my newest follower: Sandi of Dandelion Tea. Hello Sandi! I hope you always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you very much! *

 

* Writerly News *

The past seven days have been crazy busy. I keep telling myself I am NOT going to schedule any more than TWO things a week.....meetings, lunches, even errands. I obviously need to stay home to do my writing and those pesky housewifey-type duties, but the biggest reason is I have such a Low Energy Level. I've always been like this and even took naps when I was in high school.


Yesterday, the end of an already busy week, I attended our monthly Saturday Writers meeting, which was awesome. Immediately after that, many of us went to Pasta House for a late lunch. Mmmm...good. By the time we left all I wanted to do was head home and take one of my 3-Hour Naps!  Yes, that is the typical nap I take/need. (I don't want any comments about how "lucky" I am that I can do that, because I don't work full time....blah, blah, blah. Believe me, I rather have tons of energy, than feel the way I do.)

So, why am I telling you all this? I passed up the opportunity last night, to see Anne Lamott at the St. Louis County Library. I LOVE Anne Lamott! She is a fabulous writer, but I could not get up in time to see her. It kills me that I wasn't able to attend, but I know in my heart, that I'll see her some other time.

~~~

Tomorrow and Tuesday, I'll be blog hosting Lynn Goodwin, author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers. Lynn also runs Writer Advice which is a fabulous website for....writers!
It's filled with all kinds of information; Resources, Markets, Bragboards, Manuscript Consultation, and a current CONTEST, just to name a few. Lynn is a powerful writer and a delight to work with. Please stop back by tomorrow and Tuesday!

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” -Oprah Winfrey

** Wednesday's Words **

I had a really great day today! And surprisingly, practically none of it had anything to do with writing....but had a lot to do with house cleaning! Yeah, crazy, huh?! I didn't even know that's how my day would go, either. It certainly wasn't planned. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that my back is finally in really good shape, and that my house was a pit! (The Ronald isn't very helpful when it comes to vacuuming or dusting or laundry....but he does help with the dishes.)

So, anyway, I was Miss Becky-Homecky today and thoroughly enjoyed myself! I get that way sometimes. Turn on some great music and just have a good old time! I also put out a few of my fall decorations on the mantle.  Photos still to come later!

Oh, I have an "Oops" to confess. When I wrote about the 6 new hardcover books yesterday, I was mistaken. When I opened the bag, there were 5 books, and only 3 of them were hardcover! Oh Horrors!! I'm so sorry! More about the books later, too!

Tonight I want to be sure and mention Clara Gillow Clark's blog. She highlighted author/illustrator Lindsay Barrett George. Please go to Clara's blog and read all about Lindsay and the contest Clara is having. Do it quickly, though, because the drawing is in one week!! Her newest book is about an adorable dog named Maggie. I certainly left a comment or two, so I can be in the drawing. The winner(s) doesn't just get a book, there's way more to win....so run on over to Clara's and check it out!

That's it for tonight! It's midnight already and I still want to do some reading!

"Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?" -- Henry Ward Beecher