The trouble with being too tired to do anything all evening and then, getting ones "second wind" at 12:30 a.m. and spending the next hour or so cleaning ones room is, it is hard to wind down after that to go to sleep at a decent time! It was 4:15 a.m. when I went to bed and I probably didn't fall asleep until at least 4:30 a.m.
On the plus side, my bedroom got tidied (or, at least, things shoved out of sight!) and dusted, and a corner or two swept, even! You see, my house is a one story house, and the layout is such that anyone going down the hallway from the living room to use the bathroom sees directly into my bedroom as it is at the end of the hallway. They can see into my daughter's bedroom, as well, but her room is a bit offset. I suppose I could keep all the bedroom doors closed, but that makes the hallway rather dark. I generally keep the 3rd bedroom door closed, these days, because that is such a mess!
This morning, I woke up only a few minutes before my alarm went off (I had set it for 11:00 a.m.) Daughter called to wish me a good morning while I was still in bed, so I spoke with her for a few minutes.
Then, I eased into the day - had a cup of coffee, responded to blog comments, started writing this post, wrote out a more detailed "to do" list, put away the sewing machine, started a load of laundry, pulled out the table covers, put the two trays of ice cubes I had left to set overnight into the 2-gallon zippered bag in which I keep ice cubes and refilled them to make two more trays of ice cubes (I don't have a built-in automatic ice cube maker in the freezer), etc. Then, I hung up the laundry to dry, made a couple of phone calls I had to make, and started the vacuuming. I vacuumed the living room, dining area, hallway, kitchen, and the guest bathroom. Then, at 1:45 p.m., I took a break and had lunch - leftover Chinese food from yesterday (typed this up during the break). The break lasted until 3:00 p.m.
Then, I vacuumed the family room. That took me 45 minutes because I felt compelled to pull out some of the furniture to vacuum behind and under them! I vacuum under the sofas, every time I vacuum, but I haven't pulled out the computer table in a long time! I'm glad I remembered to put on a dust mask before I tackled that! I took a short break after that, because I was getting tired! Then, I vacuumed my bedroom and daughter's bedroom - that took just 15 minutes!
After that, it was time for a cup of tea. Then, I started on the 3rd bedroom. Well, I managed to clear the bed and some of the floor space, but, please don't open the closet door! LOL! I didn't finish that room and didn't vacuum it, either, because, it was already 5:30 p.m. and I hadn't gone grocery shopping for the last few items! I can keep the 3rd bedroom door closed on the rest of the mess, but I needed to buy the ingredients for the salad and green beans for the side dish, etc. So, I went grocery shopping!
Instead of running from store to store to get the best prices, I decided to go to the closest grocery store and just get what they had. They had eggs on sale for $1.49/lb., whole pineapples for $.99 each, and Dancer's cat food on sale, too. Their fresh green beans didn't look very fresh, so I bought frozen French cut green beans, instead. Each 12 oz. bag was $1; I bought four bags, although three might be enough. Butter was on sale for $2.99/lb., so I bought one pound; the dump cake I plan to make calls for 2 sticks of butter (each stick is 1/4 lb. for those who are not familiar with the American way of referring to quantities of butter). Again, I didn't take pictures of the groceries, but here's the receipt:
I spent $30.71 on groceries/items for the prayer gathering, including the two potted chrysanthemum plants I bought, in lieu of cut flowers for the altar. They'll be longer lasting, I hope, especially in our mini heatwave (it was 90F, today, too; tomorrow is supposed to be a bit cooler, only in the mid-80s), and I will be able to plant them outside, afterwards.
After that, I ran over to the dollar store and bought 2 packages of paper plates, 10 per package. I had intended to use the glass plates my mother had bought for the very first prayer gathering I had hosted, which is why I didn't buy the paper plates earlier, but, at the last minute, I've decided to go with paper plates as it eliminates having to wash the plates. I don't feel guilty about using paper plates because, one of the "helpful hints" issued by the water district, during our drought, was the use of paper plates to cut down on the amount of water used to wash dishes! Yes, it's landfill space versus precious water resources! I am using them as part of energy conservation measures - conservation of my own energy, that is! The cleaning up before the even has used up all my energies; at this point, I'm all for easier clean up after the event! $2.19 for the paper plates, from the prayer gathering budget.
Came home and put away the groceries and put the two potted plants in the bathtub and watered them. Then, cleaned that bathtub, a little.
Cousin P had called, so I called her back. She wanted to know if I needed any help, but I told her that I think I'm OK for today. I did most, if not all, the cleaning I wanted to do. I did ask her to come a little early, tomorrow, to help a bit with the last minute things.
For dinner, I baked some crescent rolls, using refrigerated dough:
I ate them with chicken curry.
Today's decluttering:
It was a gift from cousin N, but, she didn't give it to me until we were well into the new year and I had already bought myself a calendar, by then. I kept it thinking I might use it, but I never did.
Then, I eased into the day - had a cup of coffee, responded to blog comments, started writing this post, wrote out a more detailed "to do" list, put away the sewing machine, started a load of laundry, pulled out the table covers, put the two trays of ice cubes I had left to set overnight into the 2-gallon zippered bag in which I keep ice cubes and refilled them to make two more trays of ice cubes (I don't have a built-in automatic ice cube maker in the freezer), etc. Then, I hung up the laundry to dry, made a couple of phone calls I had to make, and started the vacuuming. I vacuumed the living room, dining area, hallway, kitchen, and the guest bathroom. Then, at 1:45 p.m., I took a break and had lunch - leftover Chinese food from yesterday (typed this up during the break). The break lasted until 3:00 p.m.
Then, I vacuumed the family room. That took me 45 minutes because I felt compelled to pull out some of the furniture to vacuum behind and under them! I vacuum under the sofas, every time I vacuum, but I haven't pulled out the computer table in a long time! I'm glad I remembered to put on a dust mask before I tackled that! I took a short break after that, because I was getting tired! Then, I vacuumed my bedroom and daughter's bedroom - that took just 15 minutes!
After that, it was time for a cup of tea. Then, I started on the 3rd bedroom. Well, I managed to clear the bed and some of the floor space, but, please don't open the closet door! LOL! I didn't finish that room and didn't vacuum it, either, because, it was already 5:30 p.m. and I hadn't gone grocery shopping for the last few items! I can keep the 3rd bedroom door closed on the rest of the mess, but I needed to buy the ingredients for the salad and green beans for the side dish, etc. So, I went grocery shopping!
Instead of running from store to store to get the best prices, I decided to go to the closest grocery store and just get what they had. They had eggs on sale for $1.49/lb., whole pineapples for $.99 each, and Dancer's cat food on sale, too. Their fresh green beans didn't look very fresh, so I bought frozen French cut green beans, instead. Each 12 oz. bag was $1; I bought four bags, although three might be enough. Butter was on sale for $2.99/lb., so I bought one pound; the dump cake I plan to make calls for 2 sticks of butter (each stick is 1/4 lb. for those who are not familiar with the American way of referring to quantities of butter). Again, I didn't take pictures of the groceries, but here's the receipt:
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| 10/20 Grocery Receipt |
After that, I ran over to the dollar store and bought 2 packages of paper plates, 10 per package. I had intended to use the glass plates my mother had bought for the very first prayer gathering I had hosted, which is why I didn't buy the paper plates earlier, but, at the last minute, I've decided to go with paper plates as it eliminates having to wash the plates. I don't feel guilty about using paper plates because, one of the "helpful hints" issued by the water district, during our drought, was the use of paper plates to cut down on the amount of water used to wash dishes! Yes, it's landfill space versus precious water resources! I am using them as part of energy conservation measures - conservation of my own energy, that is! The cleaning up before the even has used up all my energies; at this point, I'm all for easier clean up after the event! $2.19 for the paper plates, from the prayer gathering budget.
Came home and put away the groceries and put the two potted plants in the bathtub and watered them. Then, cleaned that bathtub, a little.
Cousin P had called, so I called her back. She wanted to know if I needed any help, but I told her that I think I'm OK for today. I did most, if not all, the cleaning I wanted to do. I did ask her to come a little early, tomorrow, to help a bit with the last minute things.
For dinner, I baked some crescent rolls, using refrigerated dough:
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| Crescent Rolls |
Today's decluttering:
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| Calendar |
It was a gift from cousin N, but, she didn't give it to me until we were well into the new year and I had already bought myself a calendar, by then. I kept it thinking I might use it, but I never did.
Saturday's To Do List:
- VACUUM! - DONE!
- Take the cooked curries out of the freezer/put in fridge to thaw - DONE
- Load of laundry - DONE
- Rest of the grocery shopping - DONE
- Buy flowers for the altar - DONE (bought flowering plants)
- Tidy the 3rd bedroom - DID SOME!
- Mop the kitchen floor - VACUUMED
- Put new air fresheners in the bathrooms - DONE
- Open new bag of rice - put some aside for the almsgiving - DONE
- Take out serving dishes, spoons, ice bucket, etc. - DONE
- Plates, napkins, cups, spoons & forks, etc. - DONE
- Take recycling, trash, etc. out - DONE
- Water the garden!
Yay! I got most of it done!
Yay! I got most of it done!
Sunday's To Do List:
- Roast chicken
- Cook green beans
- Boil eggs
- Boil eggs
- Make tomato/cucumber/onion salad (R)
- Fry pappadum
- Bake "dump cake"
- Cook rice!
- Cook rice!
- Warm up the thawed curries
- Take down bottle of tomato chutney
- Take down bottle of tomato chutney
- Set up altar (R)
- Table covers
- Final sweep of my bathroom (Dancer's litter box area)
- Put bathmats in my bathroom
- Remove sofa covers (R)
- Serve lunch after prayers are said
- Wash up/clean up/put away food
- Drive R home
- Water the garden
I put "R" against those tasks I can ask friend R to do. She said she will come over on Sunday morning to help. Cousin P will also try to come a bit early to help.
The participants will be arriving around 2:00 p.m.
Rosary prayer gathering menu:
Snacks:
- Sauteed garbanzo beans
- Veggie "straws" (friend R will bring)
Lunch:
- Rice
- Meatball curry
- Roast chicken
- Dhal
- Green beans
- Salad (tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, hard boiled eggs, halved)
- Pappadum
- Tomato chutney
Dessert:
- Peach "dump" cake
- Vanilla ice cream
- Yogurt and palm treacle
If anyone wants coffee or tea afterwards, they'll have to make it themselves! LOL!
Today, I am grateful for:
- Cousin calling to check if I need help
- Being able to accomplish all what I did!
- The house being cleaned
- The sunny warm day
- Daughter went out with a visiting friend and had a good time
Someone approved of the family room area rug being freshly vacuumed:
How was your Saturday? What have you planned for Sunday?
Rosary prayer gathering menu:
Snacks:
- Sauteed garbanzo beans
- Veggie "straws" (friend R will bring)
Lunch:
- Rice
- Meatball curry
- Roast chicken
- Dhal
- Green beans
- Salad (tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, hard boiled eggs, halved)
- Pappadum
- Tomato chutney
Dessert:
- Peach "dump" cake
- Vanilla ice cream
- Yogurt and palm treacle
If anyone wants coffee or tea afterwards, they'll have to make it themselves! LOL!
Today, I am grateful for:
- Cousin calling to check if I need help
- Being able to accomplish all what I did!
- The house being cleaned
- The sunny warm day
- Daughter went out with a visiting friend and had a good time
Someone approved of the family room area rug being freshly vacuumed:
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| Dancer's Seal of Approval Nap! |
I'm worn out reading this! I hope your prayer gathering goes well and that you enjoy hosting it. I find I often get too stressed to really enjoy any event that I'm hosting so I hope the same doesn't apply to you.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Eileen, yes, I do enjoy hosting it! :) Once the cleaning and the cooking is done, there is no stress. It's a rather informal gathering of family and good friends. There is no set time to serve the meal, for example. Not like the almsgiving I will be holding in December, when I invite the monks from the temple to participate in a lunch which they need to consume before 12 noon. :)
DeleteI think your prayer gathering will be a big success today. You are certainly well prepared and the guests will notice.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Live and Learn. One thing I know for sure - no one will go hungry! LOL! I think I cooked enough for the proverbial army! :)
DeleteOh my gosh, Bless. Where DO you get your energy from? And I shudder to think you will be doing this all over again in December. I have been reading about your cleaning endeavours over the last couple of weeks. This is one way of getting your Fall cleaning done, but I have been amazed by your persistence. The house looks great, but now you know that walls have been washed, and curtains cleaned, and dusting behind and under furniture. WOW!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the day's events with family and friends.
Thank you, Susan. Are you back from your trip up north? I'm sorry, I haven't checked your blog to see! I was motivated by the thought of people staring in horror at how dusty and dirty my house has become! Not to mention messy. The mess is still there, but it is contained in bags and stowed behind closed doors! LOL! Yes, Fall cleaning is well under way! I can clean, but I can't maintain. I just don't seem to have it in me! As for the energy, I prayed! I stood in front of the altar and asked to be granted the strength and energy I needed to do what I have to do to prepare for the prayer gathering, which I host in my mother's memory. I've taken lots of breaks in between and the cleaned areas give me energy and motivation to keep going. But, I can feel the tiredness, this morning. I am having a cup of coffee before I start the rest of the cooking. After the prayer gathering, I will allow my cousin and friend to put away the food for me and wash up. I'm glad I don't have to go to work, tomorrow - and I won't have to cook for at least a week!
DeleteI think I need to invite a lot of people over in order to motivate me to do a major cleaning! Your house must be in such good shape now, and who cares if there are a few bags hidden behind closed doors, we all do what we can and normal homes have stuff! I hope you had a lovely prayer meeting and meal. Soon you will be reliving the high points while you clean up later.
ReplyDeleteWe awoke to a little snow here and there, not the first time and we have had some blowing at us yesterday. But it was a pleasant day and I took the opportunity this afternoon to go out the back to collect greenery which I will use later for Christmas decoration outside. I don't want to wait until it is all under the white stuff!
Having people over is the best motivation for me to clean, Bushlady. The challenge now is to keep it maintained so that I don't have to go crazy for the almsgiving. I think I need to plan to have regular get togethers, every other month, or so! I used to entertain more when my daughter was little and my mother was alive - we had daughter's birthday (always a big party) in March, my mother's birthday in October, my birthday in November, almsgiving in December, etc. and some years, there'd be a graduation party at the end of May or mid June. The house got deep cleaned quite regularly.
DeleteSnow, already! Oh, my! Good idea to collect your greenery before it gets all hidden under the snow! In contrast, it was warm enough to turn on the fans, over here! Especially with the oven on to roast the chicken!
The prayer gathering went very well. And everyone enjoyed the meal, afterwards. Some of the family stayed to tea, as well. My mother would have approved. :)