So I set my FlyLady timer for 15 minutes for the umpteenth time in my life. Yes, I actually do use the timer. My goal was clearing the dining room table, which was piled high. While cleaning and clearing every other surrounding surface the table suffered the overflow. Whatever was on that table would be put away, given away or thrown away. (Thank you, Ellen, for reminding me of that technique.) I had agonized about taking care of those things for an entire three days: didn't want to do it, felt overwhelmed by it, pretended it wasn't there, all the tricks of denial I could muster were in play. Would you believe that the table was cleared with three minutes to spare? Why I have not learned this lesson...

~cleared table~

Okay, I am going to share the main reason why I have not learned this lesson. The number one reason is...

Personification. Yes. Believe it or not, I ascribe human qualities to inanimate objects. 
< slapping self in head  > 

Recently, my son brought a load of his stuff to store in my garage. In the process of helping me go through my things to gain room for his he asked with a grin, "Mom, are these three rocks special to you?" In response, I picked them up, clutched them to my heart, and took them into the house and looked at them for days. Yesterday, during the 15 minute time, I dropped those rocks over the deck railing where they landed amongst their brothers...see what I mean about personification? LOL! 




Here's a sticky wicket... John's belongings, specifically his clothing. His shirts and pants all hang in the closet just as he left them. 


Last summer, his daughters began suggesting that they be given his shirts. Pushing, pushing, pushing. I may have gotten snippy because I finally asked them why they thought they wanted his shirts...had they purchased any for him? (The answer is no.) They wanted them to cut up and make quilts from them. Not ready for that either. The mere thought makes me slightly nauseous. Thing is, my daughter may need to move in until her home is ready sometime in October. She will need the closet space. Why can't I do this? You got it! Those clothes have become John to me, which also explains the nausea at thinking of cutting into quilt squares. 

I may have a breakdown. 

Yes, an entire household of treasures, which have all become living, breathing representatives of the people to whom they belonged. No wonder I'm having trouble.
~the perfect box for me~
So right now those boxes have become my friends. My favorites are from Lowe's. Small packing boxes with handles for 76 or 79¢ are the perfect size for me to lift. KEEP, GIVE or TOSS... may need another labeled SHRED.

~work cut out for me~ 

It's another rainy cool day and perfect for plugging away for 15 minutes at a time. Hope that your plans are more fun. 

A happy weekend to you! 

I found this photo in my maternal grandfather's photo album. It was taken in Salisbury, New Brunswick, Canada. I am wondering if I am looking at my great-grandmother. She is working in a rustic kitchen. She wears a cap and an apron. On her lap she has a roasting pan loaded with potatoes. In her right hand she holds a knife. I like the contented look on her face and she seems perfectly at home in her old kitchen. I believe that the year must be between 1905 and 1912 based on her age and her clothing and the fact that my grandfather was born in 1892. This photo has been cropped, but one day I will revisit to share what the rest of the kitchen looks like. It holds some surprises. 


My apologies for the
quality of the screen cap here, but this proves that this knife is a great price. Only $8.76 at your local Wal*Mart. I found the first one I purchased in a special display of Pioneer Woman products. The rose-handled knife was something I could afford and, needing a new knife, I purchased it. I was in for a very pleasant surprise. It became my favorite knife. Later, when I wanted to purchase more as gifts, I found them located in Housewares.



And it chops craisins to add to my yummy slaw.
Have you purchased any of Pioneer Woman's products?  Have you shared them? I want to visit if you have!


 I was not paid nor did I receive any product for this recommendation. I really love this knife!

Sure. Bend my rubber elbow because I'd love to tell you about the cleaning cloth that is on its way right now to Deanna, and thank you for asking. ☺ I love having post suggestions. True. I'm getting desperate after all these years of blogging. 
This past November, I wrote a post where Lovella mentioned a cleaning cloth that she uses. Very shortly after that, I received one in the mail all the way from British Columbia.  Apparently, Lovella has shared her cleaning secret with quite a few as Judy just commented in my last post that Lovella had given her one as well. (I would link to a post where Lovella discusses this item, but I don't know that she has. She is sharing a wonderful vacation to Hawaii with gorgeous photos, though.) I gave my sister and John's sisters one for Christmas. I'm the last of the big-time spenders. Ha! Anyway, my sister has reported back that she really likes hers a lot.
And here it is...




What a little blessing this item is. It makes short work of cleaning mirrors, windows, refrigerator fronts, appliances, apothecary jars, eyeglasses, computer screens, and lots of things!
They cost around $5 and are available at *Amazon,* among other places. In just these few short months, I have saved a lot in cleaning product because this cloth works without a cleaning agent, no window wash or spray cleaner needed. 

for my Canadian friends thanks to Judy

Thanks a million, Lovella! It truly has changed my life...given me more hours in the day...cut the task in half. 
Next time, let's chat about those fantastic Pioneer Woman knives, okay?
Disclaimer: Ultimate Cloth has never heard of me and I was not paid for this recommendation. I just love this cloth!

When I got to the library I came to a standstill, — ah, the dear room, what happy times I have spent in it rummaging amongst the books, making plans for my garden, building castles in the air, writing, dreaming, doing nothing.

But it is impossible, I find, to tidy books without ending by sitting on the floor in the middle of a great untidiness and reading.

Foolish me. I did. I don't care for the look now; John doesn't either. (I messed with his books and he has a perfectly good method understandable only to him.) I would mess them all up all over again, but I'm going to allow them to drift naturally. John has already set plenty adrift, believe me. This used to annoy me. Now I see the error of me ways.
Source  Here's a cozy living room with lots of books. The child's chair is loaded with books. 

What I like best is that poster!
Source
A classic New England library...white and blue with a punch of red for good measure.
Which room would you prefer to read in or are you an outdoor under the tree reader? 
Source I'm thinking this would work well for me. It is the best of both worlds and when, after I've read a page or two, I feel the need of a nap, I'll be all set.

(If you are a pinner, please pin from the original source. Thanks!)

Gotta love steam cleaning—no harsh chemicals and perfectly sanitary. I started out with a Scunci several years ago. Nearly drove me wild because it was so small and cleaning came in spurts—literally, of course. I don't believe that the water vessel held more than a half cup. It was okay for the sinks and drains and doing the refrigerator gaskets...sort of. As of last Thursday, I have this...


So this was my birthday gift from John. He can not be blamed for the unromantic quality of the gift. He was having trouble coming up with something and I was more than happy to help him. =D I knew that I wanted my hands out of dirty water and mop wringing.

Even though I watched the You Tube video where the cute gal (Nony the Slob—no, that's really her name) went over the fine points explaining that this machine does not suck up dirt, I still was rather surprised to find that it does not suck up dirt. There has to be that kind of a machine on the market. (Sometimes I even imagine a little machine like grocery stores have where the floors are perfectly clean and shiny in two or three swipes running back and forth all on its own in my kitchen.) Perhaps Manuela's comment back on *this post* will help. The Biss*ll does get good recommendations, though it's for floors only...I think.  I wanted something that was going to get multiple uses: floors, cabinets, shower walls, windows, mirrors, upholstery, and even ironing/steaming.


The price was right. I thought it was $179 and it turned out to be $97, which was great. I have cleaned floors, the refrigerator doors, cabinet doors, upholstery, closet doors, and shower walls (each chore has its own nozzle or attachment and bootie to fit over said attachment) and am pleased with everything except with the lack of dirt-sucking ability and the bit at the first of it where it's difficult to push the thing along for lack of enough moisture. If you enjoy the smell of a cleaner, you can purchase one that won't kill the machine; otherwise, I found that the smell of clean was perfectly fine. That and the nice scent of a candle burning.

One thing is certain...no hands in grimy water. Amen.

Thank you for the sweet birthday wishes. You made me smile.

A great Tuesday to you...

This is the view that I usually present when I'm showing a kitchen photo. That's because I'm trying to avoid showing you something I consider too unattractive for Blogland.


This is what I consider too unattractive. The cupboards needing paint, the ratty, old wallpaper that has to go, and the 1982 stove. I've been thinking about my grandmother's table, which I use for an island. Thankfully, I have it because it comes in handy, but all that stuff below...ackkkk. I've thought of putting a vintage fabric around to hide the unsightly stuff underneath. I need that stool because I'm short vertically challenged and can't reach the top shelf of my cabinets. There's a recycling bucket there because we recycle. (This despite the fact that a number of us are wondering what happens to that garbage. I certainly hope that it isn't dumped offshore someplace. We have all heard the rumors. Anyway, we recycle and I wouldn't mind the recycling if I thought it were doing some good. I'm just not sure.) The small wooden box holds kitty food.

Anyway, back to Nan's old kitchen table. I painted the far end the same color as the jelly cupboard. My daughter nearly had a fit when I showed her. She wants me to leave the blue and well enough alone. So I guess that I'd be attempting to find some vintage fabric that would include plenty of colors...shouldn't be too, too tough.

This still looks cluttered, but it is an improvement. The back of my stove was formerly covered with salt and pepper shakers, a basket with spices, little whatevers. All gone now!

This is the microwave, toaster, and coffee pot corner. Since there is no place to stash the toaster and coffee pot, I've been thinking of making some covers from the same fabric that I'd use on the table. Any thoughts about that?

One of the things that I had been doing was to line up the counter with stuff to hide the electrical cords. Had no idea that that was what I was doing until the decluttering began. I asked for an extra outlet, but now is not a good time to be asking the carpenter for anything as he's on overload. His answer to my dilemma was to move the microwave from the corner to its spot beside the fridge. Well, I guess that works for now.


Only I would show you my dish drainer loaded with dishes. Gheesh.

Will leave you here where we began. There's a lot to be said for decluttering. Please visit FlyLady on my sidebar if you need any tips on the process. She saved my sanity one year and I still refer back to her when I'm overwhelmed with the house.

Oh, you wanted to see a before shot? Not on your life!! ;>