Housework out of the house

Once my dailies were done in the house I set to work somewhere different, and twice as challenging. My beloved scrap-room, a converted summerhouse I won off of ebay in the summer. I love my scrap-room it means I can leave things whoever I like and they aren't in the way or a danger to anyone else (thinking of little fingers and sharp knives), the only thing wrong with that theory is that it rarely gets a real clean, so today I did. With the addition of my exercise bike and elliptical trainer in there it has to be tidy. It took a bit longer than I thought but its almost there, almost as in I had dinner to prepare and the clothes for tomorrow to sort out, however, I did get to go out and do a layout before I came in to have a check up here and the house. Must get a bit more done tomorrow now.

Super Saturday

Super housework day. Upstairs was my main focus this Saturday ,it looks beautiful, all the windows are washed and clean, the beds changed, floors vacuumed, everything dusted. Lovely, its really a great feeling to walk up the stairs knowing the doors dont have to be shut hiding anything, it looks so bright and spacious. I have a little box full that needs to go in the loft when I get the ladder in, but its all wet and muddy and I'm not bringing them in like that.

Doing all the beds means laundry buy the truck load, but its all ok. Most of it irons easily and its nice to have it all done at once. So I thought these pictures would be relevant to this post.

I feel a bit strange at the moment as we are having a take-out for dinner so its strange not to be getting the dinner ready. Its nice to have a treat though.
I watched a tv show today "Real Housewives of Orange County" it made me laugh, real housewives that dont actually do anything real in their homes. They all looked fabulous though. It was a bit money orientated but intresting to watch, I hope I catch it again. I loved the decor though, lovely ideas for what I could try here.

Why I love him...blog challenge

A friend from Happy Housewives has posted a little challenge. Read her blog at http://aqueeninthehousefullofmen.blogspot.com/

I love my husband because:

1)He is my best friend

2)He is a wonderful provider

3)He works really hard for his family

4)He completes me

5)He is a wonderful father

6)He is always there for me

7)He never moans at my cooking

8)He always boosts my confidence

9)He supports my crazy plans

10)He loves me even with my stretch marks.

I could go on for ages about how lovely he is. He has so many great traits and morals, I am truly blessed to have him. Without him the dreams I have would be empty.

Thank you Kathy for the challenge.

Food cupboards, not my favorite chore but one I'd much rather do on days like today, when its wet and miserable and I'm waiting a tesco grocery delivery on sunday. Thankfully it wasnt too bad nothing out of date, nothing broken or spilled. Lovely, if only it was like that every time. It also means when the delivery comes it will be a lot easier to store.
I only quickly washed the wheelie bin, it wasnt exactly the weather to be hanging around outside.
Had a lovely visit to the school for a special assembly with A. Her class did a performance about the Great fire of London, it was wonderful to watch, the only thing that was sad, the lack of parents that came to watch. It was so nice for the children I know to wave and say hello to me though.

Freshen up Thursday.

Rain rain go away....tell me how the weather knows that I'm about to do the school run. Seriously, I have a shower and straighten my hair get already to walk out the door "kaboom" the sky just pours. Hey ho, we still trundle to school enjoying our daily chat and exercise. No only does it make my hair all fuzzy it soaks the buggy which then drips all over the hall, luckily I had a towel to wash and I used that in the hall. Much safer.
I swap around the flower arrangements today and gave them a quick dust and refreshen with some room spray, its nice to swap things around a little.
I had the joyful job of washing the house bins out today, how come even when using a bin liner something still gets in the bottom? Oh well, they are ready for the next week. the wheelie bin needs a clean out tomorrow after they have emptied it. There is a man that comes around and does it for a fee, my Nan used to use him but all he does is use a hose to give it a wash and then sprays some disinfectant in it. Lovely, but I think I'll be keeping my £2.50 a bin and do it myself.
The sale went quite well yesterday, £50 was made from the table top and the total for the raffle is still to be added as they are going to host it tomorrow after school. I am attending a special school assembly tomorrow morning. A's class are hosting a "Great Fire of London" performance. She has some words to say so is very pleased. Hopefully Hubby can get to it as well, I know that would make her day to see him there.
Due to the rise in petrol prices I have decided to do the weekly shopping on-line. Due to be delivered on Sunday morning. Lovely, no queues, no pushing and shoving, no moaning, no worrying about the car doors being bashed in lets just hope its all there when it comes.

Eugh, seriously, I think it was alive...

I washed the leather sofas today (they like Dove soap) so I pulled them out....I have no idea what food item had died underneath it but oh my, it was nasty. It was behind the metal floor tracks, so each time I've pulled it out to wash the floor its just stayed under it! It did resemble an apple core, I think, but my lesson is now learned. Re-enforce the No Food or Drink rule and to make sure I get right under the sofas not just pull them forward. I was embarrassed, and so pleased there was only me and baby girl in the house! It was a shocking "How clean is your house?" moment. Anyway I finished off the sofas and put them back all nice and clean, I waited long enough for these I will definitely make sure I look after them.
The tumble dryer got its maintenance done today also. Sadly no money in it this time, usually I can get a pound or so from it, so I must be checking all the pockets before the wash now and not missing any. I was simple to do, its gets done every month, the water condenser tray and the filter gets done after each load its the condenser filter and air filter that can go a bit longer, it doesn't take long and it gives me a bit of confidence when it comes to possible fire prevention.
I helped out at the FOMS (like a PTA) table top sale today, got some great bargains too, 6 brand new Next school t-shirts, all for £1.20, a couple of books, DVDs and a little toy, and some raffle tickets, all the money goes to the school children. I left early so I hope it went really well and the children get some good funds. I like to help, I like to feel that I can make a difference.
.

Fabulous Podcast

I listened to the latest Darla Shine Pod cast last night (found http://www.happyhousewivesclub.com/kiss/podcast.html ) Darla and Dana from the Happy Housewives Club talk about a college that has been slated for providing courses in homemaking, claiming it to be regressing, I wont quote wrongly so I advice you to have a listen. I was listening and nodding and making my comments right there with the girls. I did some Home Economics at secondary school (between the ages of 11 and 16) It completely wasn't what the young girls of today need. We used to rotate classes termly, one was cooking, another was handicrafts. Quite frankly it was very poor, we "cooked" soup and made kites with plastic bags and string, please inform me as to where that helped anyone become a housewife? Indeed life lessons and research provide us with a great deal, which has to be a wonderful thing because if we relied on what we were taught at school, we'd have a miserable life only ever accomplishing flask made soup and who knows what would become of us. Lessons from our parents, that would be fine if our mothers were the figures of idols, so far I have gained advice and pointers from where ever I can, even if the lessons are not the ones that work they are the ones that teach us.
So I am all in favour of homemaking classes, as I wrote in a post before, its something I would love. Help the future mothers and wives be the best they can, raise the children the world needs and create a generation that can change the way the future generations live.

A normal Monday

I enjoy Mondays really, the daily routine goes back to the beginning and the weekly one starts all over too. It isn't as hectic any more now I dont go out in the mornings. There are no laundry loads to do (until night time), none drying. The house is still really clean and tidy from the weekends spruce. I am looking forward to a spring clean and a chance to decorate a bit, I have such great images of what I want to do to the kitchen Which reminds me I need to get some new serving dishes. I saw some beautiful Martha Stewart ones but they would need to be shipped from USA and that would cost a bit too much, so I'm on the look out for a British equivalent. Maybe in Anthea Turner's new book there will be a suppliers list that might have what I'm after. I've already pre-ordered it but its a long time until May.
I love this little montage (below), trying to find little pictures of housewives and homemaking is difficult, most have degrading comments on them. Which really gets to me, what is so wrong with being a homemaker? I dont think I'll ever work out the answer.
I changed the light bulb in the living room, I was a bit annoyed though as it is a energy saving one and its not been in that long (no more than a year) these are supposed to last about 10 years. I gave the glass shades a good polish, How a dead ladybird was in there I dont know, it wasn't in there last month.

I have my Yankee candles burning, I have a slight addiction to them. They smell so gorgeous and look delightful in their little glass jars. So useful and pretty. I shall use the empty jars in my scrap-house to keep brads and primas in. They will look really cute.
I've got Darla Shine's podcast to listen to later on. Loads of inspiration and motivation!

Company and fitness

Family time today, my grandparents come over and we went for a walk as one big family. The wind was whistling but it was a refreshing walk and such a lovely way to chat and catch up together. Once home I cooked crumpets for everyone and had a much needed cup of tea to warm us up. After company had gone I set about tackling the hallway and the dirty shoes. The hallway isn't very big and so it doesn't take much to look dirty and messy. As its Sunday is super roast dinner day, usually had a lunch time but due to the walk I left it until the evening, toad in the hole, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, 4 different vegetables, mash potato, one gorgeous Sunday roast. Thats not all, a beautiful steamed chocolate pudding and custard. After all that its the dishwashers job! Its meals like that that I am very thankful for our little busy machine, its only a slimline one but it works lovely for meals such as those.
Feeling satisfied and content we did the school homework and do a bit of reading together.
I dont often get compliments, if I do I am never sure of how to take them, Hubby complimented me on the housekeeping and the way I have looked after myself and the girls. That makes me so proud. Probably helps that I've been re-reading Darla Shines Happy Housewives book and reading up on articles on the Martha Stewart website.
Once the girls were settled and my afternoon jobs were done I went out for a run, around the block. I continuously ran (jogged/trotted) all the way which was 9:30minutes, I was very, very pleased with myself. Since my DR told me not to diet any more and think more of my health than the clothes size and the scales numbers its been hard to think differently but I do want to be fit and healthy, if it means being a size bigger than I had concentrated on thats ok. I need a new release, at the moment running does it.
Time to iron the school clothes (that were ironed yesterday but have mysteriously been crinkled again) and get the lunches ready, always made with love.
:)

I kicked butt!

My saturday came back with avengance. I rearranged the main bedroom, cleared out and reorganised all the boxes under the bed, the wardrobes and the drawers. Not sure how long I shall keep the room this way around, nut it will be nice for a change and give the floor a bit of a rest. 3 loads of laundry is already done, actually have a load of sheets on the washing line (purely because there is no room in the dryer, there is no way that it will dry out there) I washed the kitchen window to clear on the cat-snot. that looks ten times better! I can see through it now.
Its only just past lunch and I have worked hard for about 3 hours, I have more to do as soon as one area is clean and tidy the others seem to go downhill. Oh well, thats my life, I just need to train the family better.
Most of all I'm very happy to be back on the HHWC forum, my absence there certainly makes a difference to how I do in my days.
We are going out this afernoon for a treat, no where expensive as we are saving for a summer holiday, we havent been away in the smmer for about 4 years so it will be nice not to go in the winter.
Have decided to decorate the kitchen in the spring. I was thinking of a lovely sage colour. I think it would look nice. So I'll start looking at bits to add and change. I would like to paint the cupboard doors (I would rather replace them if we can offord to). So I am getting exciting about that.

getting back on top

Did the weekly shopping this morning, I only went to the nearest supermarket, its not my favourite as it doesnt stock some of the things we usually have. I got some floor cleaner that was reduced in a special offer, it smells fabulous; wild orchid. So I got the floors all washed and dried whole baby was asleep. Need to replace a lightbulb in the living room. It went out this morning I think. Three loads of laundry, 2 dried, ironed and put away, one load is waiting for another to join it before drying (once I'd taken the non-dryer clothes out it didnt leave much) Planning on giving the bathroom its mega-clean tomorrow, shouldnt take long really as its tidy and clean, I just like doing a real indepth one, I love a clean bathroom.

Finally, I'm back.

Am I back completely? Not quite. Illness has struck my baby girl so I'm keeping on top of the housework rather than being as perfect as I can.
I've been directed to th emost lovely Homemakers blog, its really inspiring.
http://debrasotherthoughts.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html
Definately visit it. Its fabulous.
Things are still going well though. The weather has meant the outdoor jobs are hit and miss, luckily the garden takes care of itself this time of year.
I've just ordered my next Martha Stewart book from the Book Depository (love that site!) I love Martha Stewart publications. I really wish that Anthea Turner could manage to create such an empire that invigorates housewives.
I've had loads of extra laundry due to little ones sickness but thats ok, all part of my job and my worth. Must get my carpet washer back from my grandparents. I'll call them, I need to help them with their Solar Heating anyway.
Best get on, time to enjoy my home and my family.