Baking and Studying
Fire Cleaning has begun...
Today the cleaners arrived. And Oh, my! They set out their plan and we either agreed or didn't agree. And for the most part, I think we got on the same page.
We did agree to wash the kitchen items inside the cupboards, which we had originally asked them... they said they figured 12 hours to clean the contents and today Dh and I spent nearly 15 hours (our hours together) cleaning and only got the upper cupboards done inside. I have twice as many lower cupboards, so I am like... 12 HOURS??? what were they thinking???
Today they got the upstairs walls and ceilings done and they cleaned a few things that was nice to see... they cleaned off the girls' bathroom sink and the toilet and really the entire bathroom... it just sparkles. The girls' rooms don't really look all that different... they basically cleaned walls and worked around the mess that the girls had left... I don't think they did the upstairs screens however... and I will maybe ask them to do that... as I got soot on the back of my hand checking...(Will I be brave enough to ask??? LOL). They did wash the downstairs screens which was SOOO nice! The big deal about the screens is that for several days, my daughter Chelsea, 16yo, would come up with soot smeared on her face and we couldn't figure out where she got it... well she loves to look out windows and see as much as she can see and often she hits her nose on the screen... and so the nose smudge began and continued until just the day before she left for camp. We figured it out that she was too "nosey" about what was going on outside.
Anyways, upstairs I wasn't super impressed... There are two rooms done real nice and two rooms done OK. The one gal was very particular about her cleaning and she did the two nice rooms. One was just learning and was working with the man who was the boss of the project, I guess you call him?? He says he likes cleaning walls and ceilings, but isn't interested in the details... and it kinda showed. Not that it was horrible, it just didn't sparkle like the other two rooms. And the one room my girls bunk bed in... that room just didn't shine... I offered to move stuff, but they just cleaned around it... so as soon as I pick up the stuff off the dresser, I'll have to clean it again... that kinda clean. Why clean??? Oh well. At least the ceiling is done... I hate doing ceilings!
Downstairs they had a guy working solo in our front room... absolutely love that guy! And he's not coming back!!! He has other work to do the rest of the week... but he was so thorough and that room really shines as well. I still have to clean inside the cupboards and clean the stuff ON the cupboards, but the doors and walls and everything shines! He knows his stuff! One thing we learned is this cleaner just sucks the life out of the wood and he says you have to follow it with murphy's soap to add some oil back into the wood to give it shine. I would have to say that wasn't done upstairs on our railing as it is rather dull... but downstairs, our pantry doors just glow... love it!
Here's the plan for the rest of the week as far as the cleaners go... Wednesday, they will finish the kitchen (walls, ceilings), dining room (walls, ceilings) and the master bedroom (walls and ceilings). Thursday they will clean the carpets and the floors... which he said they'd clean the wood floors, but I'm guessing they are going to leave that to me, because we have so many items that need to be inside because of the outside dog... that he suggested moving those items to our dining room and kitchen area... well, we are moving the stuff and moving it back... so they aren't going to be able to clean under them... so that's another thing added to my to-do list.
Thursday when they clean the carpet, they do not want us in the house at all... especially with Paige... as she will run on the wet carpet, get it dirty and it would just be best if we weren't in the house... he even suggested we sleep in the camper on Thursday night... too bad that is plum packed FULL of blankets and laundry that I have been doing for the last week! Maybe I can find one of the beds... what an ordeal! So after 3 days they will be gone! GONE.
That will leave me with alot of work! I figured the kitchen will take me two more days, even with some help! The entry room is like the kitchen as far as cupboard cleaning... so say 2-3 days in there. The dining room... not so bad, maybe a day, the bathroom... likely a day, the living room... a day (want to polish that wood so it isn't dried out... and I think the piano is my job... they won't touch it... not sure how you clean soot out of a piano!). My bedroom... likely two days. Upstairs... 1-2 days in bedroom 1, 1 day in bedroom 2, 1day in bedroom 3. Bathroom2 - 1/2 day. And the storage areas they are not touching at all... and that will take me at least a week. That's nearly 3 weeks of straight cleaning YET to be done! I think we will make the deductible! I will not be able to do much cleaning the next two days the cleaners are here... being banned from the house one day... and banned from downstairs tomorrow. My girls also thought they might miss out on cleaning being at camp... well they didn't miss out on much! LOL. Perhaps with their help it can go a bit faster... I hope so!
I am beginning to wonder about how the fire is helping me to get my house cleaned in one big swoop... because it isn't going to be one big swoop! I will be cleaning the house until we are ready to start back up with school... no summer break for this MOM! I am still plodding on... the house is getting decluttered. I have one van full of items ready to go to the church garage sale. I'm sure I will have more as I enter more rooms; I've only gone through just the laundry room and part of the kitchen! And the big storage area upstairs... which is the area I NEED to declutter... they aren't going to even try to clean... they even suggested I move everything into that area... now wouldn't that just make the area worse again??? CRAZY!
Well, I better go work for another hour or so. I hope to clean off the kitchen counters and the dining room furniture so that they can move items around and clean. Tomorrow morning I will be emptying bookshelves to my bed so they can clean our bedroom. I then will head upstairs to likely Paige's room to "finish the cleaning", doing the detail work. I'm so tired and so very sore!
Now... you know your house is big when the cleaners joke about hating to break into our house because it is so big and there are so many rooms... even a burglar would get lost! One said that after a lady got lost trying to figure out where to go and she says... there's too many rooms in here! Dh liked the comment... he loves his big house.
Warmly, ~Melissa
Vacation 2008 Summary
Saturday evening we got home after 15 days of traveling. The first few days were spent with my sister, Linda, and her family. She has a four year old miracle son and now a two month old miracle daughter, who was born on Mother’s day. Linda can’t have babies of her own, but through the miracle of God and the medical world she did conceive these two. God is good. Here is a picture of my new niece, Gillian (pronounced Jillian) Claire.
Sunday evening my brother and most of his family came to see us at my sister’s house. It was great to see them all – boy are the kids growing!
While in
Tuesday morning, June 24, we headed off to visit our friends near
Wednesday evening we drove on to
Last Wednesday we drove on to
While we were there on Wednesday night my 9 yo dd kind of sleep-walked out to the living room after she had been asleep for an hour or two. Her right side of her face was all squinched into a grimace, and her arm twisted strangely. Her right leg was shaking and could barely hold her. She responded to my talking to her, but didn’t quite connect with what I was saying to her. I sat her on my lap until she woke up, and then sent her back to bed. She didn’t remember any of it in the morning. I am thinking it might have been a seizure, but I’m not sure. I wouldn’t be surprised since she just had another vaccine about 6 weeks ago, and she was really tired from getting very little sleep the night before.
On Friday morning we left early and arrived home about 13 hours later – yea! The kids all traveled really well – including the baby. We listened to several books on tape, which helped the long hours on the road to go much quicker. We only ate out twice over the entire 15 days, except one meal I had with Tim’s mom, sister, and sister’s-in-law. That is really good for us! The second time was our last meal on the road! I think most of us were sorry due to how we felt afterward, but we were so sick of sandwiches and snack foods!
Resting in His Faithfulness,
Carol
My simple woman's daybook entry for July 7th
![[simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg]](http://bp2.blogger.com/_dUrUa10NCDQ/SANSkp9X30I/AAAAAAAAATE/peRSpbqVwiA/s1600/simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg)
Outside my window ~ it is raining and very very windy. I almost feel like I am back in the Windy City of Chicago.
I am thinking ~ of how awful some people can be to go as far as trying to scam a vonerable 16 year old. We are praying for you Vivian!
I am thankful for ~ The Lord who gave us the wisdom to know a true scammer, for my husband who works so hard to give us the things we long for, my children, my dear dear friends, the freedom to homeschool, the open fields for my furry friends to enjoy, the air I breath (which by the way isn't always easy with Asthma) I am thankful for the gift of creativity that the Lord has blessed me with.
I am creating ~ hand made recipe cards with my own original drawings on them, and more Note Cards.
From the kitchen ~ I can hear the beginning stages of dinner being prepared. Tonight Mariah is making Chicken Enchilada's. YUMO
I am going ~ to town today to get some advice about this scam. Praying all the way of course.
I am reading ~ Proverbs for parenting.
I am hoping ~ that I will find a way to bring peace into our home and to get back into a routine.
I am hearing ~ the very annoying sound of my dogs toe nails clicking and clanking on the floor as she walks from one room to another. Gee we have got to get them clipped.
Around the house ~ we are organizing the homeschool shelf and the office to prepare for the upcoming school year.
One of my favorite things ~creating cards, painting gourds and drawing. You really didn't expect me to just list one today DID YOU?? 
A few plans for the rest of the week ... ~ continue organizing and preparing for the school year, drawing, packing for my trip that is coming up!
A picture thought to share....
Tuesday's Thoughts
Going Gray - 2nd try.
Going Gray - Looking Great4th March this year I began the process of going grey & have blogged about it here and Here
Yesterday I went to a new hairdresser - BIG step for me. When I met her I just knew we clicked! I got my hair cut - it hasn't been this short since I was 18 years old. - now just below my collar - didn't think to take a before & after shot!
I love it!!!! Met with a friend for coffee to show her, another friend popped in to see it. buzzzzzz
And the hairdresser said to use a BLUE shampoo - just as my friend Pam said & Going Gray - Looking Great shares.
I think my hair will get shorter as the grey comes in & then I'll grow it long again.
Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake
.... 
Busy...
I likely won't be on here much for the next week as cleaning officially begins tomorrow. I have been busy however filling boxes and taking clean wash out to the camper. Boxes are going into the outside mudroom. I am exhausted just for yesterday's filling of boxes. I have no idea where they are going to start, so that is a bit frustrating as well. I may be packing up boxes that I don't need to mess with for a few days. OH well!
I quick checked my measurements from my increased activity...although I wouldn't say I am getting an aerobic workout... climbing the steps and lifting boxes and moving boxes has given me quite a bit of undeliberate strength training. And what happened was just as I suspected... many of my sizes went UP... but I know I had little muscle underneath, so this is beefing up the muscle and for that I am glad. It is noticable. My lower thigh... those muscles above your knee... I can see them now... Woo Hoo and that size went up nearly 1.5 inches. I laughed. My calves went up, my upper chest and my hips went up... which I have big butt muscles when they are toned! I did have two losers... the more important ones... slight loss on my upper arm, which is flabby! And a loss of over a 1/2 inch on my waist. This wasn't an official check, I just wanted to see what was going on...
Anyways, I need to get back to packing. I think I might head out and get our groceries while it is raining this morning and then come back and pack the rest of the day and evening. I was going to stop at Menards and get a few laundry baskets... they are on sale for $2.48 and that would help with moving so many books back and forth. I hope to find some more free boxes as well. I see Menards has throw rugs for a buck... those rag woven rugs... we use them for camping and some are nice colored...browns and my daughter picked out a few pink ones... my other daughter some harvest colored ones... Fun! I likely will use these in the bathrooms as my b-room rugs are disgusting and likely ruined.... My yellow rug is gray from the soot and everyone walking on it. Also on sale are canning jars for $3.48 with a rebate... so I will pick up two of those cases as well.
I need to get going as things won't get done if I am on the computer.
Warmly, ~Melissa
Thoughts of this Mama...
It's early morning, and both boys are still asleep. I have the time to blog, but the most interesting parts of the day have yet to happen!
I'm headed into my 12th week of pregnancy . . . it's went by so fast! There is a little bump, when I stretch to put away dishes on the middle shelf, against the counter-top that reminds me that I'm pregnant. I always go crazy and sleep the first 2.5 months on my stomach - no other time of my life do I sleep this way! That's past, now, too. Last night, when we played Ring-Around-The-Rosey and all "fell down" I was a bit slower getting up. I'm starting to feel pregnant, even if I don't look it quite yet!
I wonder how much my age effects how I'm doing this pregnancy, and how much is simply having two boys to take care of as well as myself and Jonathan? The morning sickness is waning (most days) and time marches on. I'm so excited to be pregnant again!
Elijah is healthy again. He's putting on weight. Last night, he ate an entire bannana, part of a plum, and a half a handful of graham cracker bears. Where does he put it all? I don't have a clue.
Samuel is learning by leaps and bounds. This boy of ours loves to sing! There isn't a bit of problem with the first part of church, because he's waiting on pins and needles for the song director to say "Hymn number . . . . ." He's the first one to grab his hymnal and he belts out the songs joyfully. At first we worried about distrubing people around us, but they seem to find it endearing, so we let him sing away. He even holds notes at the end of verses - it's truely adorable.
I was only kidding about my "Will I Be Able To Homeschool?" post. Honest. His arguements are truely a bright spot to the day . . . and he is like a sponge right now. There is no way to stop teaching him!
Elijah is pulling himself up on things now, and Samuel gets giddy with excitment. "Walk! Mommy, Yi-ya walk!!" I can't imagine two of them mobile, chasing each other through the house. While it's been important that Samuel stay in the same room with me, it's going to be even more important that both of them stay in the same room with me, so that they don't divide and destroy the house when I'm distracted.
Yesterday, Elijah was fussing in the backseat. Jonathan reached in the back and let Elijah grab his finger. Within seconds, our blue-eyed boy was sound asleep. It was so precious! He just needed to not feel alone, I guess!
Since Jonathan has been on a cash-only budget for over a month now it has helped him to keep track of his spending and limit it in a wonderful way. I'm not thinking about what he buys anymore and wondering how it will effect our credit card bill, and we've actually stuck to our budgeted spending amount!!!! I think this might have been the final key to our finances. It also encourages me mightily to stick to my budget as well, and overall it's been wonderful. We might just meet (or exceed!) our savings goal for one of the few times in the past four years, which hopefully encourages us to keep going.
I have pictures to post, but left the camera at Jonathan's parent's house.
Both boys are awake, so I should go . . . .
~Ashley~
Daybook Entry 7-6-08
http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/
For Today July 6...
Outside My Window...Green aspen, blue spruces, grass in the yard. Partly cloudy.
I am thinking...God is so good. I had a wonderful trip to Illinois, and was able to see most of my extended family and all of Tim's extended family in a two week period. God provided the extra finances we needed. The van ran great. The gas was under $4 everywhere but in Colorado and Illinois, so we are really praising God!
I am thankful for... all that I just mentioned, as well as good health.
From the kitchen...Dh just made a chicken and rice casserole. I don't have to cook any meals this week.
I am wearing...a khaki green skort and an off-white t-shirt from Towanda, Kansas with an old time picture on it of the town in 1870.
I am creating....order out of chaos. We just arrived home from a two week trip to Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Kansas - and also driving through Iowa and Missouri!
I am going...to plant a flower garden in my front yard soon.
I am reading...I finished the 5th and 6th Rose Years books while on vacation. I also heard several books on tape while driving.
I am hoping...that my 9 yo will not have any more seizures. I think she may have had one a couple of nights ago, but it is hard to tell. She was really overtired, which I attribute the main problem to, although she did just get another vaccination 6 weeks ago - which has been a precursor to her last two episodes of seizures too.
I am hearing...the refrigerator hum, the dryer drying, and the tv playing a movie for dh and the family in the basement.
Around the house...I got a new quilt with an americana motif at a garage sale in Illinois that is draped over our futon bed next to me. It is very pretty, although my husband doesn't appreciate it as much. Most of the laundry is caught up. Presents are hidden behind our bed for our youngest dd's 4th birthday tomorrow.
One of my favorite things... back and neck rubs!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....I've got lots of catching up to do...paying bills, filling out forms to keep our medicaid (which I fear we are going to lose this time around due to increased giving in May), try to get back into early morning walks.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
My daughter is on the right, and her cousin is on the left. They are great pals.
Resting in His Faithfulness,
Carol
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