Thursday, March 15, 2007

Spring Cleaning

I thought today was the day. I decided that I would embark on my spring cleaning for this year a little early. Probably because we had a couple of days this week that were almost summer-like, so I was in the mood. Plus it takes me a good long time to get everything done that I want to get done because there are certain things that I will only do once a year (like washing curtains, etc.) But then I realized that I can't start without my lists. A long time ago (when I had lots of computer time on my hands at my many secretarial jobs) I made lists of everything that needed to be done in every room in the house. I made a master list, then printed out several copies to use over the next few years. I know at this point whoever may be reading this has come to the definite conclusion that I'm a mental case. But I thrive on organization...so just love me for who I am! Anyway, my lists are no where to be found. I'm assuming they somehow got lost in one of the two moves we made in the last year and a half. But alas, I cannot begin cleaning until I have lists in front of me. The contentment of a clean house is not complete unless I have crossed things off my list. I get so much satisfaction from the "cross-off." On top of that, as the day progressed I ended up with a doozy of a cold and now I'm just down for the count. And also, it was snowing by lunchtime. That immediately threw me out of spring cleaning mode and back into cuddle up on the couch mode. So it seems spring cleaning is not in the cards for this week. But one day soon, my lists will be made, my windows will be thrown open, the house will smell of pine and lemon, and every closet and drawer will be resplendant with reorganization.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Turkey Day

Now I know you're thinking, Turkey Day in March? Yes, that's what this is. Every year I buy a huge turkey when they're on sale before Thanksgiving and keep it in the freezer through the winter. Turkey is our favorite meal around here, and we definitely get our fill of it during the holiday season. But just once or twice a year is not enough. So every year, at the end of the winter, I haul out the huge bird and make an entire turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings. I guess it's a kind of farewell to the season we call winter. We love winter while it lasts, but we're always happy to see spring ushered in. So tonight we'll feast on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc (ooh--don't forget the mouth-watering gravy). And in doing so we say see ya to winter and WELCOME to spring!

Monday, March 05, 2007

The Yard Sale Bug

“Digging through a cellar or an attic is like archaeology of the soul.” –Anonymous

It’s getting to be that time of year again. I have the itch—the yard sale itch. Every spring I can’t wait to pour over the classified section of the paper looking for yard sale ads. Every Saturday I love to while away the morning hours going from neighborhood to neighborhood, looking for hidden treasures. I think this bug started because for 5 years, I lived in the Yard Sale Land of Plenty, also known as Clarks Summit, PA. There were always friends to go with (Gretchen, Laura, and of course Judith--who taught us to haggle) I realized the bug was back last week as I was flipping through Craig’s List online, looking for outside toys for the kids. Jackpot—I got a little tikes picnic table for just 5 bucks! Then I realized just how bad my bug is: the fact that I was going through not just the Columbus ads, but the Cleveland ads too. I knew if I found anything worthwhile, I could get my in-laws to pick it up for me (they’re just great like that). And low and behold, I found my perfectly priced picnic table in Cleveland! It’s sitting in Grandma and Papa's garage as we speak. I got even more excited last week after talking to my friend, Lydie. She told me about amazing multi-family neighborhood sales that happen annually in certain upscale towns, and we already have a date to leave the kids with the daddies and hit those up! So until the spring weather actually comes and the newspaper starts filling up their ad section, I’ll get it out of my system by scouring craigslist.org. Ya never know what you might come across.

“It is the beholder who lends to the beautiful things its myriad meanings, and makes it marvelous for us.” –Oscar Wilde