Erasing the Evidence on Monday

When I was part of a now defunct online organizing forum, we used to call the cleaning up after doing any activity, "Erasing the Evidence" or "ETE".  The idea was to put everything away and restore the area (counter top, if making a sandwich; the house if after a party), and erase all tell-tale evidence of the activity!  Ideally, to be done immediately afterwards, but, at least, as soon as possible.  So, that's what I've been doing, today!

But, first, I slept in!  I first woke up at 9:00 a.m. (phone call; let it go to the answering machine, no message), then, again, at 10:00 a.m., (another phone call, something about health care options, picked it up thinking it might be related to my retirement health care, but, it wasn't, so hung up on them)  and, finally, at 11:00 a.m. (DMV calling to remind me about my appointment with them for later this week; I answered that call)!

Then, I had coffee, replied to blog comments, posted comments on some other blogs, and took it easy.  Finally, around 1:00 p.m., I washed all the rest of the dishes, wiped the top of the stove (didn't clean under the burners, yet), put out a fresh kitchen towel, and wiped the kitchen counters.  Then, warmed up some leftover garbanzo/chickpeas for brunch, followed by a small serving of the dump cake.

Next, I did two loads of laundry - first a load of darks and then, a load of all the dust sheets.  I have one more load of laundry to do, including the table cloths used yesterday, but I have run out of drying spaces indoors (I don't dry the laundry outside because I'm afraid that fleas from the garden cats might get on the laundry!)  So, I'll wait and do that load later this evening, or, even, tomorrow.

In the meantime, Dancer spent the afternoon  napping on the bed rather than hiding under it, as he did, yesterday, when all the people were here!

Dancer Sleeps it Off!

Neighbor T's daughter K called in the early evening to let me know that her mother was home after having had surgery, this morning.  T is resting and recovering; her son R will be with her for the rest of the week (he lives in Colorado) and K lives locally and will be checking on her.  I said to let me know if I may be of any help.

When I put away the dishes, I checked to see what I might need to buy for the almsgiving, in terms of paper goods.  I have enough paper plates and white paper napkins (for use by guests; I keep china plates and cloth napkins for the monks to use).  There are some bowls and small plates, too (to serve dessert) but another package of each might not be a bad idea.  I will also buy a white plastic table cover to spread over the white table cloth - easy clean up, that way!  I'll pick these items up at the dollar store when I go there, next.  I have plenty of everything else.

Later in the evening, I took the trash cans out to the curb and watered the garden, both front and back.  I only noticed the sunset after I came inside and was drawing the drapes closed:

Sunset Skies

I took the photo through the window and my cell phone didn't capture the colors too well, but it was a very pretty pink. 

I did just a little more cleaning today - some chutney had been spilled on the table cloths and it went through two thicknesses of cloth onto the table.  So, I cleaned the table; let's see how long it will stay looking like this!

Dining Table

I also washed the kitchen trash can before I put a new trash can liner.  This week, I want to concentrate on deep cleaning the kitchen.

Later in the evening, I called friend R to check on her and to thank her, again, for all her help, yesterday.  I'll be video chatting with daughter, later.


Today, I am grateful for:
- Neighbor T came through her surgery safely and is home, resting
- All the "ETE"ing I was able to accomplish, today
- A working washing machine
- A warm and sunny day
- A beautiful sunset

Monday's To Do List:
- Rest! - DONE!
- Put away the washed dishes - DONE
- Wash the last few dishes I was too tired to wash last night - DONE
- Take inventory of what I need to buy for the almsgiving (in terms of paper goods, etc.) - DONE
- Take out the trash/take the big trash cans to the curb - DONE
- Water the garden - DONE
- Put back the few chairs that were pulled out - DONE
- Put away the bottles of drinks
- Clean the kitchen - STARTED; counters wiped, stove top wiped, fresh kitchen towels put out, trash can washed
- Do laundry - STARTED; did 2 loads
- Put the statue of Our Lady back in the regular altar - DONE (before going to sleep last night, well, early this morning!)

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Put away dried laundry
- Do another load of laundry (table cloths, etc.)
- Put away the bottles of drinks
- Continue to clean the kitchen - vent hood, under the burners, cabinet fronts, tidy/declutter the under sink cabinet, etc.
- Bring the trash cans in
- Attend the knitting group?

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?