As October Draws to a Close

Tomorrow is the last day of October!!  Which means two big things to me:  1) my birthday is in 2 days (yay me!!)  And 2) this year is flying by much too quickly!

I feel as if lost a big chunk of October after spending most of the past two weeks being sick.  Which was no fun.  At.  All.  I still have a little bit of a cough and my voice is still raspy.  But I am finally starting to feel like myself again.  So, that's good.

I have learned a couple of things this month...

• After consuming extravagant amounts of tea with honey over the past two weeks I have found that Chai green tea is delicious.  Serious yumminess!  My old standby - Constant Comment - has some hard competition now.
  

• It is most difficult to heal and get better when you have a cough which keeps you awaken all night.  And being tired does nothing to help your mood or your attitude when you're already not feeling well.

• Silk Almond "egg" Nog in Pumpkin Spice flavor makes coffee even better!  A scrumptious latte, right here at home.
  

October was also a busy month.  We celebrated the Man of the House's birthday.  The male offspring played guitar at an anniversary celebration for the church where is guitar instructor is a pastor, and he had a county wide orchestra concert for violin.  The Man of the House finished up the fall softball season.  And business was booming for my Etsy shop (praise the Lord!)


When all is said and done, it was a good month.  I'm looking forward to seeing what November  has in store for us!

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Tired of Coughing and 3am

It's just before 3 as I am writing this tonight (this morning? Does it matter?  3am is 3am!) And I must warn you that due to exhaustion this might be a little incoherent  at times.  I also apologize for the potentially graphic nature which may render this unsuitable for some viewers.

I have been sick most of this week, and it's starting to wear on me.  Especially at this late (early?) hour.  And tonight might just be the straw that breaks the camels tired little back.

I would love to be blissfully snoozing the wee hours away like my sweetie here beside me.  Unfortunately every time I start to drift off to dreamland, I get choked up on the copious amounts of drainage my sinuses are producing, sending me into a hard core coughing fit.  I'm not playing here.  When i say hard core, I am talking the kind of coughing fit that would make the consumption-ridden heroine in an old fashion tragedy proud.  The kind which sends me scrambling about for my cup of water, or huddling in the bathroom to gag on the wad of nastiness stuck in the back of my throat.

At this point I think I have achieved about 15 minutes of uninterrupted sleep tonight.  That while sitting upright propped up against pillows

In a few hours I am going to have to climb out of bed, shower, dress, put on a coat of war paint and go buy food supplies for my family.  Right now I would gladly surrender my right arm for some Nyquil or a big dose if some Delsym.  Both of which are sadly lacking in my medicine cabinet.

Wish me luck...

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A Spirit of Gratitude: October 22

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

Our crazy dog

Things that make life easier

The grand baby singing the ABC ' S

The male offspring being sweet

My Autumn mantle decor

Pretty teal loaf pan

Preparing for Christmas sales

Autumn colors against a bright blue sky

Bee pollen

Take and bake pizzas

The grand baby asking for chocolate ice cream

A Saturday afternoon nap

Making Sunday breakfast with the Man of the House

Panthers beating the Seahawks

Staying up much too late

The first morning with frost on the windshield

Yummy pasta with shrimp, tomatoes and spinach

Beautiful sunrises

Discovering there is still chocolate ice cream in the freezer

And not eating it

The grand baby's cold toes

Honey lemon couch drops

A helpful husband

Tea with honey

NyQuil

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October Daily Cleaning Challenge: Week 3

Here we are in week three!  Yes, the post is a few days late.  Such is life, as it is.  We all know things happen.

As far as the challenge - I've had good days.  I've had a few off days.  I wish I could extol you all with tales of how this has made such a huge difference and my hope is sparkling and tidy.  But I'm not going to lie to you like that.  It's maybe not as bad as usual though.  I hope. (?)  And I'm sticking with it.

Here's a list of cleaning ideas for Week 3:

• Dust /clean light fixtures
• Wipe light switches
• Sweep/Vacuum
• Clean under the kitchen sink
• Clean off the top of the fridge
• Wipe down the legs of your dining table and chairs

And don't forget the two optional challenges:

Bonus Challenge #1:  Complete at least one load of laundry per day.  By "complete" I mean washing, folding and putting away.  Because if you are anything like me, that basket of clean cloth clothes may sit around for days before something finally gets done with it.

Bonus Challenge #2:  Get the family involved!  Ask them to help tidy up for 10 minutes.  Set a timer and see how much y'all can get done.  You might be surprised what a difference 10 minutes can make.

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A Spirit of Gratitude: October 14

Oh my goodness gracious!  How is it Wednesday already?  This week is getting away with me.  I never seemed to find time to write this post on Monday.  I'd like to say I took the "holiday" off, but it wouldn't be true.  As Monday slipped away, I told myself it was no big deal - I'd get to it on Tuesday.  Then Tuesday came and went with no post.  Oops!!  And now, here it is Wednesday evening and finally... finally!... Here is this week's gratitude post.  I hope you'll find it better late than never.

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

Going to bed at a reasonable time

Leftovers

New orders

Gluten-free  waffles

Taking the male offspring shopping for clothes

A visit from my mother

Extra sleep

Autumn mornings

Meditating

Sleepy grand baby

The Man of the House's birthday

Mini cupcakes

Trying a new pizza place

Weekends

Enjoying the fall colors on the drive home

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October Daily Cleaning Challenge: Week 2

An entire week of October has already come and gone! At this rate it is going to be a quick month!

How's everyone been doing with the daily cleaning?

I have a confession - I skipped a day or two.  Although I have tried to do a little something each day, even if I don't get the full 15 to 30 minutes in pet day.

Here's the list of suggested tasks for Week 2.

• Clean the kitchen/dining room chairs
• Wash the walls in the hallway or one room
• Clean out the junk drawer
• Clean out from under the couch and chair cushions
• Clean the front door (and any other doors leading to the outside)
• Tidy up the front porch area
• Dust tops of door frames
• Sweep/Vacuum

And don't forget the two optional challenges:

Bonus Challenge #1:  Complete at least one load of laundry per day.  By "complete" I mean washing, folding and putting away.  Because if you are anything like me, that basket of clean cloth clothes may sit around for days before something finally gets done with it.

Bonus Challenge #2:  Get the family involved!  Ask them to help tidy up for 10 minutes.  Set a timer and see how much y'all can get done.  You might be surprised what a difference 10 minutes can make.

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Random Friday

Look around the ol' interwebs a while and you'll see all kinds of folks singing the praises of fall and proclaiming it their favorite season.  Myself included.  Why is that?  I think I've finally figured it out.

Everything about fall is comforting.  That's it.  It's the cozy season. The clothes... warm and cozy sweaters.  The colors.... warm reds, yellows, oranges, browns and rusts.  The foods.... comfort foods - pumpkin, apple pie, cinnamon, soups and stews.  Hot chocolate, pumpkin lattes, warm tea.  It all just says "cozy".  No wonder so many of us are drawn to this particular season!

Autumn

Know what else I find cozy?  Foggy mornings.  I don't know what it is but I enjoy a good foggy start to the day.  The thicker the fog - the better.  Unless of course I have to go out and drive in it.  But even then to a certain point, I'm enjoying the mist.

foggy morning

Here are some other random thoughts I've had this week.  For either your reading amusement - Or to scare you away from this blog forever because you are terrified by how my brain works.  Your call.

I realized this week that it is rapidly becoming decision time in regards to my hair.  Chop it off and keep it shorter - or bear through this stage, stockpile ponytail bands, bobby pins, and hair clips and let it grow out.  Decisions, decisions...

It's also past time for a color change for the little piggies.  And a cuticle trim.  Geez, I am really letting myself go over here! Anywho...  got any suggestions for a fun fall-ish type pedi color?  They're dark blue right now.

I'm keeping pretty busy making hats these days.  Everyone is getting in those orders for Halloween costumes I suppose.   But it's busy in a good way.  Not staying up all night busy.  More like steady.  Steady with a side of busy.

I finished season 2 of Downton Abbey this week.  And this entire season has just wreaked me!  It has apparently also wreaked the Man of the House, but in an entirely different way.  He avoids watching it like the plague, hiding out in the other room anytime I put it on to catch another episode.

I guess that about covers it.  For now. What's been on your mind this week?

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October Daily Cleaning Challenge Update

Hello fellow cleaning challengers!  How's everyone been doing this week?

I've had some long neglected tasks get marked off the To Do list this week.  Including finally switching out the mantel decor from summer to autumn, straightening up the foyer and cleaning and decluttering under the bathroom sink.  Yay me!!

I wish I could tell you that I feel as if it has made a huge difference and my house is shiny and spotless.  But that's just not true.  There's still a long day to go.  But every day is a little step closer, so I stick with it.

I'll be posting the list of task ideas and such tomorrow or Saturday.  So, be prepared for that.  In the meantime, tell us a little about how your week has been!

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The Happiest Birthday Wish

Today I wanted to use this spot to wish a Happy Birthday to the handsomest, funniest, hard working-est, most patient, loving man I have ever known: The Man of the House!

Happy Birthday puddin' pop!  

(He loves it when I call him that)

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A Spirit of Gratitude: October 5

I Am Thankful For:

Feeling creative

The leaves really beginning to show their colors

Baby tomatoes

Purple carrots

Starting a new To Do list

The Man of the House helping the female offspring with her car

Watching Downton Abbey

Another rainy day

Spending the morning with the female offspring and the grand baby

The end of September

The beginning of October

The rain and flooding not being as bad as originally forecast

Not losing power

The Carolina Panthers are 4-0

The grand baby laughing at the Man's silliness

Finally finding my fall decorations

Chocolate cupcakes

The Male Offspring doing well in school

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October Daily Cleaning Challenge: Week 1

Welcome to October!  And thanks for joining us in the October Daily Cleaning Challenge!

If you're new around here, you might be asking yourself what this whole challenge is all about.  So, here's a quick recap!

Each day in October do 15 to 30 minutes of cleaning. Yes - EVERY day.

That's it.  No cleaning schedule or assigned tasks.  Just clean SOMETHING in your home each day.  There is only one "rule":  your 15 to 30 minutes has to be something other than washing dishes or laundry.  Those need done regardless.  And in my case, if anything is getting done its typically going to be one of these two things.  So, I have to pick something I would normally be more likely to avoid.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started this first week of the challenge.  Do a few.  Do them all.  Do something you decide all on your own.  Just Do Something!!

• Clean foyer/entrance area
• Clean out the fridge
• Clean under the bathroom sink
• Vacuum and/or sweep
• Clean off surfaces in bedroom
• Sweep and mop bathroom
• Tidy up living room

And don't forget the two optional challenges:

Bonus Challenge #1:  Complete at least one load of laundry per day.  By "complete" I mean washing, folding and putting away.  Because if you are anything like me, that basket of clean cloth clothes may sit around for days before something finally gets done with it.

Bonus Challenge #2:  Get the family involved!  Ask them to help tidy up for 10 minutes.  Set a timer and see how much y'all can get done.  You might be surprised what a difference just ten minutes can make!

Ready?  Set your timers!  We can do this!

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