Life with Dee

Creating a beautiful life...

French Friday…La Maison (Part Un)

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I had grand plans for a lovely post all about French home life and interior design but this has been “one of those days”.  Not necessarily a bad day but a rather busy one.  I had a hair appointment at 10:30 this morning and a few errands to run afterwards.  I then had a brief time at home before going back to town for two back-to-back meetings which ran over two and half hours.  Then a blog post for my Dee’s Kitchen blog that didn’t go smoothly and here it is, 11:30 p.m. and I’m wiped out.  Or perhaps I should say, “Je suis trés fatigué!”  So for now I’ll just share three delightful blogs to whet your appetite for “La Maison – Part Deux”.  D’accord?

La Boheme Maison

My French Country Home

Little Emma English Home  (Yeah, I know the title says “English Home” but the author also loves French design.)

How to fold a fitted sheet…

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My method of dealing with sheet folding is simply not to do it.  I have one set of high thread count sheets.  Every Monday morning I remove them, wash and dry, then at some point before we go to bed, I put them back on.  With the time I save not folding sheets, I iron my pillowcases.  Mmm…nothing like a crisp, freshly ironed pillowcase, gently scented with Downy.  However, I realize that some people like to change to different sheets or perhaps have a baby or toddler sleeping with them and we all know they occasionally “leak”, necessitating unplanned bedding changes.  If, for whatever reason, you find yourself in need of folding one of those dastardly fitted sheets, here is how you do it:

Easy, huh?  Granted, this guy makes a pretty big production out of it but honestly, once you’ve done it a couple of times, it only takes a minute or less to have a very neatly folded sheet.  Personally, I’d suggest showing this to your husband and suggesting that it is a manly task beyond the spacial capabilities of a mere woman.  Bat your lashes when you say it and you just might be able to cross one regular task off your list.

A day in my life…part two…

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Well, obviously I didn’t update yesterday as I had planned. I kept track of what I was doing up until about 3:15 and then it all became a blur of household tasks, phone calls, and various interruptions. In other words, a totally normal day. Here’s what I did manage to record:

8:30 Tea With Dee blog (post, update book and dinner plans)
8:40 dress, moisturize face, hair in ponytail, take down laundry, reboot laundry, make breakfast, feed cats
9:00 back upstairs to eat and read more email,
9:50 let out chickens, refill pets’ water, reboot laundry
10:15 30 min. on treadmill while reading “The New Frugality” by Chris Farrell
10:50 read a few emails, set timer for 15 minutes to read blogs
11:20 dusted, prepared and ate lunch while reading Flylady book, talked to mom on phone, rebooted laundry
12:20 email, Facebook
1:30 nap
2:15 computer

2:45 shower, dress, makeup, hair
3:15 and onward: finished laundry, folded and put away, vacuumed main areas of downstairs, tidied up whole house, prepared and ate dinner, talked to a friend on the phone for over an hour, chatted with David when he returned from his trip, watched some of the Olympics, more computer time, read Bible and “The Friendly Persuasion”.

I knew this already but I really do spend a lot of time on the computer. Between three blogs of my own, another I post for occasionally, Facebook, reading blogs, reading and moderating a yahoo group, and assorted other things, I am online a lot. A LOT. As long as I keep up with other aspects of my life, I am okay with this. I mean, I very rarely watch television. And much of the time spent online involves reading about various things of interest to me (news, politics, environmentalism, cooking, etc.). Yes, I’m probably trying to justify my obsession. 😉

So, how do you spend your day? Have ever tried to spend a day writing it all down?

A day in my life…

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For a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that I hope it will help me accomplish a lot, I’m keeping track of what I do today. Because there’s a good chance some of you are almost as nosy as I am, I’m going to share it here. I’ll probably check in here 2-4 times today to write a post outlining what I’ve been doing. Here’s what I’ve done so far:

  • 7:00 a.m. – alarm went off, checked weather and Facebook on my iPhone
  • 7:15 – got out of bed, started a load of laundry, made my hot tea and put away clean dishes while it was brewing
  • 7:30 – read email

And that’s essentially what I’ve been doing the past hour. Guess it’s time to get dressed and get busy!

Check back later for the further adventures of Dynamic Dee! Or something like that.

Cleaning a Messy House…

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Ever been so overwhelmed with the state of your house that you simply don’t know where to start? For various reasons I found myself in that situation today. Note to self: Avoid going out of town on Mondays. Well, in true procrastinator form, rather than actually clean something, I did a search for “cleaning a messy house”. I found this:

http://mymessyhouse.org/emergency-clean-sweep/

I’m working my way through the instructions in order to get a handle on things today and then I can focus on systematically cleaning one room at a time tomorrow.

Do you have a special routine you follow when you’ve let things get out of hand?

Let the organizing begin!

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This is one of the closets in our exercise room. I store all our gift wrapping supplies, boxes and extra gifts here (the top shelf has the satellite box and some of David’s stuff that I don’t mess with). It was all neat and organized at one time but over the past year has drifted into a state of disarray.


And this is after I took everything out and reorganized it. I have enough gift bags and assorted gift wrapping supplies to last years! And I haven’t bought much of it at all. The wife of the couple we bought the house from nearly 11 years ago had been a manager of a Hallmark store. She apparently bought up wrapping paper whenever it was on sale and then left it for us when they moved. I’ve been using it ever since.

If there weren’t doors on this closet I’d be inclined to buy some pretty storage boxes and really work to make it look perfect but in my “old age” I’m learning to let go of some of my perfectionism. It’s lots better than it was before and that’s good enough.

A Day in My Life…

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I keep meaning to do this once in awhile so here goes:

5:15 — The alarm goes off way too early for my taste. David has to fly out this morning for a short business trip. He hits the snooze button and we snuggle for five more minutes.
5:20 — David gets up and showers while I try to wake up.
5:35 — I get up, turn on the computer and continue to try to wake up. David goes downstairs to eat breakfast. I’m a bad wife. I don’t *do* breakfast before 6 a.m. so he’s on his own. There was already coffee made in the insulated carafe which he just needed to zap in the microwave.
5:45 — David is back upstairs and I blowdry his hair for him. He’s seeing a customer today and wanted his long and often wild-looking hair to be a bit more subdued for the day. It looked really nice when I got through. Maybe I should do this for him every morning. Or maybe not.
6:00 — I kiss David goodbye and go make myself a cup of Earl Grey. While it’s brewing, I empty the dishwasher and feed the fish.
6:15 — Back upstairs, I set the timer for one hour of computer time and start this daily account of my activities.
7:20 — Made the bed and took the waste baskets down to empty into the kitchen trash can. While brewing another cup of tea I gathered up the bathroom rugs, towels and toilet seat cover from the guest bathroom and put them in the washer. I checked the clothes I have drying on a rack in the tub but most were still a little damp. I think I’ll have to set them outside for a bit to finish drying.
7:40 — Back to the computer. I’m still in the process of switching over to a new email address and have to spend some time each day checking my old account online and contacting people regarding my new address. There are several people who keep responding to the old one despite having told them to change their address book.
8:30 — Fed kittens and refilled their water. Fed chickens and refilled their water. Fed horse and put fly spray on her. Picked up some leftover fireworks debris. Refilled the dogs’ water bucket.
8:55 — David called from the airplane. They will be taking off soon. I miss him already.
9:35 — Went downstairs to exercise. Did 25 minutes on the treadmill while watching an episode of Sex and the City.
10:15 — Talked to David on the phone after he picked up his rental car — a black Mustang. Responded to a few emails.
10:35 — Removed everything from top shelf of refrigerator, wiped it down, put in a fresh lace doily, then replaced the items neatly. Prepared lunch for myself.
11:05 — Lunch/computer.
11:45 — Read awhile and took a nap.
1:30 — E-mail
2:00 — Cleaned two more shelves and the meat drawer of the refrigerator.
2:20 — Did a little computer work including a brief editing of an ad for United Campus Ministry.
2:55 — Put bathroom rugs outdoors to dry. Started final load of laundry. Folded a load of laundry and put them away. Cleaned another shelf of refrigerator.
3:30 — Wasting time on the computer.
4:20 — Put third vase of dead flowers in trash. Lisa called so while talking to her I washed a few dishes, dusted a few pieces of furniture, and turned over the drying bathroom rugs outdoors. I then started to take out the kitchen trash and David called. I took it out while talking to him. Now I’m back upstairs with a bowl of grapes and a banana.
4:50 — Oops, forgot about this. Let’s see…all I know for certain is that Chris came home around 5:30 and showed me the movies he bought. We just finished eating dinner, too.
6:30 — Checked on drying rugs. Still damp so I threw them in the dryer to finish them up. Gathered some recycling and put in the car for my trip to town. Checked on the chickens and gave them some food. Pet the kittens. Washed the last remaining item in the sink and sprinkled Bar Keepers Friend — will scour on my next trip downstairs. Chris is asleep in the family room so the vacuuming will have to wait.
7:00 — Answered a few more emails
7:20 — Fed the horse. Gave the kittens more food and fresh water. Fed the chickens and closed the coop. Fed the dogs.
7:40 — Looked up a book I had started printing some time ago. Unfortunately it is no longer available. Wrote email to a group where someone else might have downloaded it. Spent a little time checking out the forums for the author of the book.
8:15 — Took a shower. Talked to Lisa on the phone. Made a cup of Earl Grey tea and while it was brewing I started the dishwasher and sorted the mail.
8:45 — I’m going to post this, shut down the computer, get in bed and read “Twilight”.

Goodnight!

“What do you do all day?”…

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Some of the things I do around here…

Feeding Belle:

Checking on the kitties and feeding their mama:

Gathering an egg:

Betsy:

Planted petunias:

Pepper plant:

Lavender amidst the ivy:

Basil and rosemary planted along with the two remaining strawberry plants:

Boiled eggs:

Egg salad for sandwiches:

A couple of loads of laundry:

Getting ready for baby chicks:

The Good Housewife Guide…

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You’ve probably already seen this as it’s made its way around the Internet:

The Good Wife’s Guide (from a 1950s-era home economics manual)

Have dinner ready:
Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready for your husband. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home, and the prospect of a good meal is part of this warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself:
Take 15 minutes to rest so that you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

Clear away the clutter:
Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Light a candle. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.

Prepare the children:
Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

Minimise all noise:
At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Better yet, have them in bed.

Don’t Complain:
Don’t greet him with problems or complaints or complain if he’s late for dinner. Just count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day. Speak in a low, soft soothing and pleasant voice.

Listen to him:
You may have a dozen things to tell him – the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

Make the evening his:
Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom.
Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.
***********************

A blog I read had a link to a YouTube video illustrating this guide. Actually, there were numerous videos on this topic and I wasted an enormous amount of time watching them today. Some were rather clever and amusing. Virtually all that I watched took a sarcastic approach. I know it seems rather out-of-date but I must admit that while I might not follow it precisely (I don’t, for instance, put a ribbon in my hair or take off David’s shoes for him) I do embrace the spirit of it.

David works really hard at his job and I am fortunate that I don’t have to work outside the home (I could if I wanted to but I’d rather not). It seems only fair that I offer him a peaceful home environment in exchange.

I have David call me just before he leaves work so I know when to expect him and can prepare. It takes about 20 minutes for him to drive home so that gives me time to brush my teeth, touch up my makeup and spray on a little perfume. I make sure the house is tidy, perhaps spray a little air freshener or light a scented candle, put some nice music on the stereo and start dinner if it isn’t too early. If I know it has been an especially grueling day I will often meet him at the door with an ice cold Corona with a wedge of lime in it. He brings in the mail and newspaper with him and we spend a few moments together looking over the headlines and sorting mail. If the music on the stereo inspires me to do so, I’ll often dance a bit with him in the kitchen. This always makes him smile. He usually sits at the counter and chats with me as I prepare dinner in one of my cute aprons.

Maybe this all seems silly and old fashioned but in return David helps me clean the kitchen after dinner. By the time he’s had a little pampering and good meal, he’s generally in a happy mood and we enjoy our time together as we put the kitchen back in order. It just seems to set the tone for a peaceful evening. I used to wonder if any of what I was doing was all that important to him. David is a really easy-going guy and never pressures me to do anything I don’t want to do. But he recently shared with me that he has told other guys that when he comes home from work I’m dressed nicely, usually in a skirt, hair and makeup done, and that I meet him at the door with a Corona. Apparently they have all been amazed by this and think David is one lucky guy.

Since the kids are now grown and I’m no longer a homeschool mom with a valid excuse not to work outside the home, I’ve struggled a bit with my role in life. I know very few people these days understand why a woman would choose to be a stay-at-home-wife after the children are grown but this is what works for us. I do my part by making our homelife peaceful, fun, and restorative for David. I do the cooking, cleaning, laundry, organizing, shopping, errands, pet care, etc. In return I don’t have to punch a time clock but have the freedom to organize my day precisely the way I desire. I think we both have it pretty good.

(Let’s see if this inspires some comments!)

Sense of Accomplishment

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Ah, the joy of a task completed…and one that is visible to others! I have worked off and on all day cleaning the patio which adjoins the flower bed I weeded and mulched earlier. It has been quite hot today so I have had to take it in spurts but it’s done! Lots of leaves and stuff had piled up behind the firewood rack and along the chain link fence that runs along one side of the fairly large concrete patio.

Cleaning all that out was a much bigger job than what it sounds like. I also cleaned the large picture window and sliding glass door that open onto the patio. Now it is all clean, tidy and swept. What a difference!

Now I would like to dress it up a bit with potted plants and perhaps a table (with umbrella) and chairs. Even if that doesn’t happen this summer, at least it looks much better now. –We are currently getting a bit of much needed rain. I cannot recall a year as dry as this one has been. I’m going to have to get some water on the dogwoods across the front of the yard. I’d like to water the grass inside the fenced area around the house, too, but I just don’t know if the cost of the water will be worth it. It’s already so dry that it will take a lot to green it up again. My heart goes out to the farmers and ranchers being affected by the drought. Please pray for rain.

David pre-purchased tickets for the Pirates of the Caribbean movie tonight. We had wanted to go yesterday but it was sold out. Chris, Lisa and Justin are going with us. I hope we get there early enough that I can sit on the aisle since it is 2.5 hours long and I am fairly certain I won’t make it that long without a trip to the restroom! I generally prefer to watch those really long movies at home after they come out on dvd but Johnny Depp is well worth seeing on the big screen.