Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Schedule....what schedule?

I haven't been able to keep to my "schedule" for weeks now. But, the house IS clean and there IS food in the cupboards and fridge. However, when I'm not operating on schedule, I feel like my day is out of whack. But at the same time, I am enjoying the freedom of not having a schedule...crazy huh.

So yesterday was the most perfect beautiful day! Fall is HERE! When I got up yesterday morning and after I sent Blake off to school, I got my cup of coffee and sat out on the front porch just watching the sunlight as it touched the top of the trees and then the light would move farther and farther down. It was just so peaceful just being able to sit outside.

Yesterday, I did wash the bed linens and our clothes as well as put them away. I tidied up the kitchen (I do that every morning), vacuumed all the floors and did clean the bathrooms. I didn't do any baking or cooking yesterday (gasp!) as we were eating with family that night.

The little boy I watch during the day and I stayed outside and enjoyed the fall weather. It was just too nice to be indoors all day.

Hubby was off work yesterday and it was nice to have him home and just hanging out and having a relaxing time.

Last night we went to my husband's uncle's house for a cookout. Got to see some family we haven't seen in months. It's a shame because we live so close and don't visit more often. Will try and change that. Hubby's aunt is really good and sewing and doing embroidery and has offered my sewing lessons anytime I want to bring my sewing machine over, so I think I might just have to take her up on that.

For today, hubby and I are going to go 4-wheelin! It will be nice to spend some time together just the two of us. Then we will head back home to do some much needed yard work. It's been raining so much here, that we are just now able to get the yard mowed after about 2 weeks. But what a great day to be outside!

Hope everyone has a blessed Tuesday!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Getting Bargains

I am all about finding bargains. Whether I am grocery shopping, buying clothes or looking for just about anything else, I hate to pay full price.

My husband has affectionately labeled me as "cheap". He gets a kick out of my motto "If it ain't free, it ain't for me". And yes, I do get lots of stuff for free! Just check out your local freecycle. People will list things that they no longer need and its just yours for the asking! I have picked up some great solar patio lights, iron patio chairs, buckets for my tomato plants, bathroom mirrors, and even a practically brand new upright freezer! (My husband was really impressed with that last one).

Go to freecycle.org to find your local freecycling group.

Another one of my favorite bargain finding places is craigslist.com. If you are one of those people that have to have "brand new", this isn't for you. However, if you don't mind something gently worn, you can find great deals. Some of my finds include a mahagony dinning table for $75.00, a computer for $40.00, and our couch that has recliners on each end for just $40.00! We love this couch and it looked brand new when we brought it home! If we had bought that couch new, I know we would have paid over $400.00 for it.

Why pay hundreds of dollars when you can get it for so much more less?!

So, as stated before, we are in the process of buying a house (it's the most nerve racking period for me right now - so please pray for me) and the appliances are not in the best shape. The dishwasher is white and is dented. When you open it up, it is yellowish and has an unpleasant odor. The stove/oven is o.k....but I really wanted a smooth top (I've become spoiled with the one I have). So, I started searching on craigslist and I can't believe what I found!! We go and pick up the dishwasher today and we'll probably go get the stove and the over the range microwave next week. They are all black and stainless steel and only 2 years old!
Posting pics below. And the amazing part of this deal is the price! I'm paying just $75. for the dishwasher and $50 for the stove/oven and $50. for the over the range microwave. That's just $175.00 for all three!


Saturday, September 19, 2009

Great House News!

Well, we got the call yesterday from our realtor that the sellers accepted our offer! Whoo Hoo!!!

We are so very excited. We just know that this is where we are supposed to be. We drove out to the house yesterday, because the first time we saw it, it was just "a house"....but now it is "our" house. (or will be once we finally close).

We are looking at a closing date the last week of October. That will give me plenty of time to finish getting the needed paperwork to our loan officer and start decluttering the house we are in and of course, packing.

So, as promised, here are some pictures of the new house we are purchasing:




Friday, September 18, 2009

MIA

Sorry, I have been missing in action....so much has been going on lately.

We have been house hunting. Last week we put in an offer on a house that we liked. It needed some work. The kitchen and the bathrooms were wallpapered in this hideous pattern. But I figured I could take it down and paint and make it like I wanted it. I even went to the store and picked out the paint colors. However, they rejected our offer without even a counter. I was disappointed, but figured that was just not where we were supposed to be.

So, on the same day we received word that we didn't get that house, we found one we liked better on a full acre out in the country.

So, we talked to our realtor and went to see it on Wednesday. There was another family looking at it at the same time. I knew immediately that this was THE house. The kitchen opens up to the family room and it has a split bedroom plan. It's on a full acre out in the country, but only about 15 minutes from the city limits. Hubby only has about a 15 minute drive to work...so that's great!

We went to the agent's offer that afternoon and put an offer on it. So now, here we are just sitting on pins and needles waiting to see if they accepted our offer so we can proceed. Dealing with that and the lender's office however is very "trying". I have been trying to get everything together so we can close on 10/30 if they accept.

We are very excited!!

In the midst of all this, our very good friends from Michigan came down for a visit. We only get to see each other once a year and the time we are together always seems so short. We had such a great time together and miss them already.

As soon as we know if we are going to get the house, I'll post some pictures...don't want to jump the gun yet.

Hope you have a blessed Friday.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Cleaning Schedule

I have had a cleaning schedule for many years now. Every now and then I will change it up a bit. Some people do "task" cleaning, which I have tried. But, personally, I like "room" cleaning. Whichever you choose is fine as long as it works for you.

Some days I might not get everything done, but having a schedule helps me have direction and a little control (LOL).

So, with that being said, this is what my schedule looks like:

Mondays - Bedroom cleaning.
Tuesdays - Bathrooms
Wednesdays - Kitchen and laundry room
Thursdays - Living and Dining Rooms
Fridays - spot cleaning and grocery shopping
Saturdays - spot cleaning only
Sundays - I try and do as little as possible

I also have certain things that I do everyday...such as wiping down bathroom counter tops and toilets; wiping kitchen counter tops, sweeping kitchen floor, and vacuming living spaces.

I do laundry on M-W-F only.

Starting Monday, I will give a detailed list of all cleaning that I do each day. For instance, since Monday is bedrooms....I will post everything that I do to clean the bedrooms on that day. Your list may have more or less...

On another note, today my granddaughter is coming to visit..YAY! I haven't seen her in quite awhile and am really looking forward to seeing her cutesy face.

The weather has been stupendous here and I want to get out sometime today and enjoy the nice pre-fall weather. Makes me want to go out and buy some mums.

Hope everyone has a blessed Wednesday!