Overwhelmed on Where to Begin

The trunk I want to keep, but where?

I think I've lied-lied to myself for sure and maybe hinted through this blog that I've accomplished more than I have on pulling my office together. I've accomplished nothing more than thinking, and moving clutter around. The plan for years, particularly now that DD1 will  now just be a guest when she is home, is for me to have a lovely office in her old bedroom. When we got the new floor downstairs, we moved furniture into that room, plus tons of other clutter. It became unusable, and we still haven't done anything with it. I see the photos in the Saturday post of the My Scandinavian Home office update and think, "That is exactly the feeling of space and order I want." My blog friend Scarlet at When Robin's Appear, has mastered an attic space and I just wish I could fly her over from the UK to be my planner and interior decorator.

The room is perfect office space. It gets nice sunlight, has a shelf that runs along two walls due to it being in the lower level of a three level home, created by the partial basement wall. It's a space I can shut the door behind me if I am done working, as opposed to the computer armoire now being used at the back of the family room. When we turned it into a bedroom for DD1, we bought a closet unit that has nice organizational capacity, perfect for use for my stockpile of gifts, holiday disposable items bought at season's end, and to stow away projects not being worked on. 

Mirror, removed from dresser.

I am overwhelmed at where to begin. First, we need to decide what to do with the furniture that had been in the family room. We rather like the sparseness of the room, though still are waiting to buy a TV stand. There is an old trunk, which I absolutely love, and a contemporaryish oak book shelf, but neither  fit the current room. There's DH's old  desk, which, I think I'll just use in the office, but it really needs a wall of it's own. We need to decide if we will keep or get rid of DD1's old dresser and mirror. I'd love her to take it, along with the head board for the twin bed, and a night stand, but it was too big for the truck we had when we moved her so  still need to store for a while. I want to keep the mattress and frame and use as a day bed in the office. We could try and sell it all, but again, I think DD1 does want it for her spare room, or a possible house in the not too distant future. It  is a nice suite of furniture. The last item is a little red child desk, used by DS, and then later DD2 for crafts and coloring. It is the sweetest little thing, made by DH's grandpa, so a family piece we can't get rid of. It could be a cute little piece in the office, if room, for a future grandchild or great niece or nephew to play at while I work. 

 The room needs to be emptied completely as it needs new carpeting, which we thought we would do ourselves with just finding a padded remnant. Now that we solved the exterior problem that was creating the interior water problem, I feel fine putting carpet there for an inexpensive spruce up, even though I'd prefer tile, or to extend the vinyl planking. I suppose I just need to dive in, make some decisions, and move forward. Remember that procrastinating challenge? Well if I can get this done by end of April, I will declare success.

Just the Right Size

My butt may not move for hours! Finally, after a 13 week wait, my new sectional has arrived. This is not just about the sectional itself, but about real progress towards getting my home back after the lower level water damage, that started the descent to home clutter. I feel instantly lighter, and motivated to keep progressing towards creating the sanctuary a home should be. My home is not tiny, at total living space of just shy of 2,000 square feet.  However, I lack storage space, meaning too much stuff becomes visible clutter. The family room needs some reorganization; the positioning of the sectional isn't quite right yet, and we need a bigger T.V. stand than what we have. Some color and texture is in order as well, but for now, I am relishing in the open simplicity, clean lines, and no extra items in the room that aren't being used. 

I'm not sure where the desire for people to continually up size and increase space came from. I understand everyone wants to have a little place of relaxation for themselves, but the big cavernous modern houses have no appeal to me. Sure, I can appreciate the openness when a room full of people are together.  Both my sister, who hosted Christmas Eve, and brother in law who hosted Christmas day have very large, beautiful houses, and being able to have guests move around without literally being on top of each other was nice. But for everyday, I know my sister feels her house is too big now that she is an empty nester. I literally can imagine that my BIL's family could disburse when they all come home at night and on weekends, and literally not even see each other except meal times.

 I hope I don't sound critical of people with big houses, just that it is not for us. I do think the right size is important, and that is a matter of personal opinion. When my sister had three kids at home, the large house was right for her. With a large family with more than a decade of still having kids at home, my BIL felt they were constantly in each others space in their former house, and opportunity came knocking to buy their new house.  Before we moved to our current house 26 years ago, our first house was under 650 square feet. Of course very tight space wise once child two came along, but we did not have the volumes of "stuff" we have now, so it did work well for the previous three years. Interestingly, that first house is exactly the type of house DH and I might like to have again after DD2 is fully launched. Had we been able to keep it at the time as a rental property rather than sell it (we had special first time home buyer financing so would have had to refinance and with buying  a new house, we weren't approved for the loan on both), we would be positioned to just move back into that, and then rent out our current home for a continued income stream. 

I hope we purchased well quality wise, and will never need to replace either my living room or this new furniture. I'm watching episodes of flea market flip, and am thinking through what I already own to see if I can repurpose something for a "new" T.V. stand instead of buy something. If I never buy another thing for the house, not counting maintenance and repair items, I will be happy. Size matters-the right size for each of us. I have more inner "home calm" this morning than I have had in years.

This was the part of the sectional I had to have-my chaise.

Love this feature-storage for blankets, pillows, etc...

then back down for stretching out or more seating.

Pup has his multi-hand me down big pillow to join the family.

Choosing Words Carefully

A weird fluke happening two days in a row. Since Sunday night, our office has been without power, taking out the web and phone lines as well. There hasn't even been any extreme weather, so not sure if this is a sign of what is to come this winter, or truly an anomaly. I was to have returned to work yesterday, and did so, cobbling though e-mails via Web Outlook, and working on documents and items that do not require getting into the agency systems. Latest is we should report at 12:00 today. I've been up working since 5:30, so taking a little break to drive DD to school and write a short post. 

Getting DD out the door each morning is the most frustrating part of my day.  She has no sense of time. A 10 minute heads up turns into 20 minutes of additional activity. Fortunately, I cushion timing. Ironically, when it is for a social activity, her sense of time is better attuned. DS was the same way, and life intervened as he faced natural consequences enough times to break his habit. DD has her first behind the wheel lesson this week, and turns 16 in January, ready to take her drivers licenses exam. Tuesday she starts school at the regular time, not the 0 hour of the rest of the week so it is a parking lot/drop off mad house between 7:40 and 7:50, with literally last minute arrivals. I took the moment on route this morning to remind her she will not be driving to school if she does not leave the house 10-15 minutes earlier than we left today. She accuses me of getting "pitchy" when I "lecture" and doesn't really listen to what I say. This morning I carefully stated this calmly and as a statement of fact. Her lesson this week, the pending birthday, and this very blunt reality must have synced because her response was, "Yes, I know I need to get better organized in the morning."


HALLELUJAH! A Christmas miracle, as much for my calmness as her response. I know I have a bad stress habit of getting "pitchy", which I think is her polite way of really meaning "bitchy" when I hit pressure points. Controlling my response to the situation through carefully selecting words or keeping my mouth shut, controlling my facial response, and taking a deep breath are stress management techniques I have been trying. Carefully choosing words though seems to have the biggest impact as it helps keep others from having their own pressure points triggered. Sure, she walked in with the masses of kids arriving minutes before the bell, but hopefully without stress if that would have been there had we battled in words. Ironically, I saw two different cars pulled over near the school, most likely from speeding. In hoping to absorb calm, peace, and joy, choosing my words and calming my inner "pitch" will serve me well.

Whitening Up Dreary November

Not this kind of White-picture Wayfair.com

I read about the concept of creating November, the month between the blaze of autumn colors and the vibrancy of the December red, green, gold and silver, as a month of calm. Despite my birthday being in November and for the US, Thanksgiving, a holiday I love, November is pretty dreary for the most part. The beautiful fall colors are gone, the cold is coming and the sun seems to be hiding before it comes out again to bounce of pillows of white snow. You can read more about Sadie's white November at her site, The English Rain.

November is a pretty down time month for us. Now that my kids are no longer in traveling winter sports, weekends are focused on home. I feel like I will be decluttering until the end of time, but for those that actually keep a sane house most of the year, doing a late fall clear when the weather is beginning to suck, with the exchange of starting December in a zen state of mind sounds appealing.  I'm intentionally going to try and keep the calendar sparse. Wine club, a little socializing with family and friends, and my sister's weekend is what's populating the calendar now, leading up to Thanksgiving weekend where I start turning my attention to Christmas festivities.

DD2 is at the high school learning the dance moves for show choir and has a party later tonight. DH and I went to a fish fry last night, not usually my favorite, but it was the kind I like, the small little pieces (all you can eat for DH which he likes) coated in a slightly sweet batter. They also actually put a large squeeze container of tartar sauce, so we didn't have to do the begging for an extra cuplet. Choice of potatoe, coleslaw, and baked beans rounded out the dinner. It wasn't a huge dinner bill, but an extra all the same, so tonight will be a big pot of soup and biscuits, a movie night with popcorn, and perhaps I'll open a bottle of wine if I win the coin toss and DH picks the kid up. Before picking DD up from rehersal, I will head to the grocery store for my last little top off of bread plus coleslaw and brownie supplies for an orchestra dinner Monday night. 
 

I have $19 left in the grocery budget. I'm counting the cookies for show choir I bought yesterday and the orchestra meal supplies yet to buy, but not the $32.11 spent on Halloween candy-that goes in the holiday/gift budget. I also bought some personal supplies even though I was trying to stretch to November as when I was in CVS to buy hair color, I got an in store coupon from their kiosk for 25% off, plus the 2 for 1 candy deal. The price wasn't phenomenal because the mark up was so much on the candy before sale, but I wanted it done before the shelves are cleared by the time I hit the grocery store. All in all, I think October went well on the spending front. I'll take the little successes when they come, and move into White November, with a better savings rate than the last three months.

96 Degrees

This is not a spin off group from the 90's boy band. This is the heat index right now.  It is hot and soupy.  My eyeglasses are fogging sitting out here in the damp.  We have another day of steam and sultry heat tomorrow, but thunderstorms potentially Sunday.  I am fine with it.  We have had the best summer weather wise that I can remember in some time. Each night I've retreated to my deck, at least until the mosquito's decide it is their dining time.  DH's job requires him to be back and forth between overly high air conditioner and pounding heated lot. When he gets home on days like this, he just wants to relax and cool down in our lower level where the temperature stays pretty comfortable. The air conditioner might have to be running though to get the moisture out or he will not sleep. Pup isn't liking this too much.  He wants to be outside with me, but he looks like he has had enough of the dog days of summer already. 

DD#1 decided to head for the comfort of our house for the weekend.  She was home mid day and spent a few hours with her little sister, and now is out and about with friends. Maybe I'll get a glimpse of her a some point the next few days. I had earlier made a meal plan for the week and used up much of what I had scheduled.I'm not sure if  she will be home for dinner or not, but when I learned her plans, I did pop into the store and stocked up on a few of her vegetarian favorites.  We did not have spaghetti or pasta of any kind last night after all, with DH making  a couple burgers and baked potatoes and DD#2 and I eating the last of the zucchini dish, and so I still have the egg plants to roast, which she loves. The wine I started on Tuesday  still has a glass or two left.  My only plans are to relax and have a family dinner with whoever is here to eat.  Pup is really getting hot now, but needs his walk.  I think we will go through and get him water, and head the out the other door.  He is a whiny little thing when he decides his needs aren't being met. The wine will need to wait another 30 minutes.  I rather enjoy these nights when there is little to report.  It means there is stability and calm, and just plain time.

Room Spillage

Welcome to my homes conservatory. No wait, welcome to my office.  Actually it is my main floor living room, and there has been a whole lot of it going on in this room.  Lately we have had a bad case of room spillage.  DD#2 has a concert coming up in a few weeks, and unusual for her this year, she is giving practicing  a lot of attention. Rather than practice in her room, among her own chaos and clutter, she says she can focus better downstairs.  I've continued, sans lower level refurbishing and clutter still from the older kids, to plant myself on my chaise sofa with a laptop, because getting to the office armoire is an obstacle course.  

The living room was meant to be my oasis, the one room in the house that at any time I could feel comfortable having a friend over to sit and chat and not worry that they will find a crusty bottom mug, or a smelly pair of socks in a corner.  I could curl up on this same chaise with a good book and a cup of tea, and not worry about tripping or stepping on something when I got up. Now I have sheet music, file folders, and USB drives cluttering the floor, tables, and couch. I need a house top to bottom intervention, but for the upcoming weekend, I need to take this room back.  I know there are immaculate homemakers out there that not only understand a place for everything and everything in its place, they actually follow the mantra.  I am not one, and at 49, unlikely I will ever grow to be so.  I'm just looking to get back to my own bit of calm.  Who else faced room spillage, but lived to conquer it?

Pretty Places Part II-In My Own Back Yard

Friday night I blogged about coming across pretty places when you aren't expecting anything, such as I experienced on my recent work trip. Then there are places that are soothing, enjoyable,  and best of all, can be a regular part of your day.  The adult reading nook at my local library fits that bill. That is it in the top picture.  The light is great.  My  little breakfast spot on my back deck-nothing fancy but it gets the right light in the early morning.  I love my wicker bench on my front porch.  It's an excellent reading spot, early afternoon and then early evenings once the sun is behind the trees.  The spot in my living room that I typically sit, legs stitched out, working from a lap top, is pretty to me, even if my kids hate the cinnamon color accent wall across from it.

Best café for breakfast-sans snow!

Stretch and read or work.

Great natural light.

At my office we have a memorial tree and bench for two former coworkers.  On a warm day, it is nice to take a break from the computer screen, walk around the building, and take a short respite in their space.  Even in some of the grungiest places I've lived or worked, I found a little slice of pretty to take a break, get my thoughts together, or just decompress.  In college it was the back stairs that overlooked the fossil and mineral case  in the science building.  When I lived off campus so packed a lunch, I often ate my lunch there instead of the crowded student union. Light, even if the florescent hallway light,  shining off the rocks and minerals in the case was calming.

What about your pretty places?  Are they shared by many, or your own find? 

Tea Time

I am a coffee drinker.  Make no mistake about that.  I sometimes wake up and the thought of a steaming cup, with a splash of cream or milk, is all I can think about. With trying to keep the budget in check, I use my wonderful Keurig, and most of the time a reusable  basket filter.  A coffee house coffee is a real treat, but more so because it means I am out for coffee with someone, it doesn't necessarily taste better.   The Keurig is also great for just getting a hot cup of water as well without the hassle of heating up the tea kettle.   Nine time out of 10, I am reaching for coffee.  For the 10th cup though, a tasty tea is what I need.

My tea of choice is Good Earth Spicy and Sweet.  You can get it both in a caffeine free, but also in a black tea base, which I prefer.  It is my beverage of choice for late afternoon meetings like todays 3:00 version.  The rich scent is soothing, and the smooth, but kicky taste wakes up my taste buds, which then wake up my mind. Spicy and Sweet is my beverage equivalent to comfort food.  It feels like the tough love hug from your best "tell it like it is" pal,  soothing to the soul but with a jolt of reality.  The tea bags have pithy little quotes as well.  At Kate's bookshelf, she wrote a whole post about the quotes. Kate's bookshelf

I like other teas as well.  A hearty Earl Gray or a chai tea with sugar and milk have their moments.  I have some loose tea leaves of chai and orange concoction that I like brewed, then over ice. I've not been able to tolerate chamomile, no matter how much someone tells me it will be  good for helping me relax.  A coworker brews a strong pungent tea, native to her Argentina.  I probably come across as ungrateful when I  politely decline her offers of a cup. If the smell is pungent, I can't imagine the taste being better. 

I sent my daughter boxes of Spicy and Sweet when she was a student in England.  I carried more on the plane to her when we visited. She found many of her English and Indian friends developed a liking for the Good Earth brand. My son would raid my GE tea supply when he came home from college for his take back care package, and even his last visit in May, I stocked up.  I guess he can't find the brand in Florida.  I'll be travelling myself for the next three days for my job.  I'll pack along, as I always do, a few tea bags, ready to brew before retiring for the night.  

So I put this question out there.  What am I missing in the world of true tea perfection?   Are those of you from tea centric countries  silently shaking your heads at my preferences?  And a final question, why is supper called "tea", even if no one is actually drinking tea?