Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Sparkly!

I got SO much done today, and I am so jazzed!

My house was in bad shape. I'm normally a neat and tidy kind of girl, but it was really out of control and gross! My friend stopped by yesterday afternoon to deliver some Brownie paperwork and she asked if she could use the restroom. Of course I said yes, but I cringed inside because it was SO dirty. I'm not just saying that either...it was digusting.

I woke up this morning motivated to clean and I jumped in head first after I dropped the girls off at school.  (I was a little teary seeing them off, but John gifted me with a Starbucks card someone had given him and it was the perfect combination of pick-me-up and caffeine that I needed!)

I really didn't miss the laptop today. When I stopped this afternoon to start dinner, I realized that the recipe I needed was on my recipe blog and I didn't have it written down anywhere else. That was the only time I thought about the computer. A quick call to John got me back on track and dinner was ready when he got home! (By the way, if you've never tried lentils, this is a great recipe. Even my pickiest eater loves it. Lentils are super cheap and very nutritious.)

In the midst of cleaning, I managed a little painting project. My sweet friend, Joan, gave me a calendar frame a long time ago. I haven't used it in several years because it was the wrong shade of green for my kitchen and I haven't had the right size calendar.

On New Year's Eve, I bought this Edward Hopper 2009 calendar. I hoped it might be the right size to fit into my frame, and when I got home I discovered it was!

I painted the frame black and I LOVE the result! (And yes, I know my calendar is on wrong month.)

I also hung up my Nana's collection of souvenir spoons. My mom gave them to me last summer, but we accidentally drove off and left them at her house! I got them from her last week when we were in Arkansas, and she also gave me the display rack. I found the perfect spot for it in my kitchen. LOVE it! I have lots more spoons so I guess I'm going to switch them out from time to time.
I got more done today than I have in a long time. I told John I think I'm going to make him take the computer away more often. It's a big distraction for me and I'm not disciplined enough to leave it alone. Out of sight, out of mind seems to be key for me!

21 comments:

Michele said...

There is just nothing in the world like a clean house, although mine rarely is that way. I love both of your projects - very cute. I am also so proud of you for being so productive. The computer is a weakness for me also. Good point about out of sight - out of mind. I have a desktop though. Maybe I could just close the door to our office?

Michele said...

P.S. I LOVE that shade of green in your kitchen!!!

Rae said...

Ahh, such a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I try to get all of my daily chores done before checking on blogs and getting distracted by the computer. With that being said, it is 6:24 AM and I'm sitting on the couch, in my jammies on the computer. But it is a snow day so it doesn't count! :)

Deidre said...

Oh, I am tad envious, Meredith! I have so much cleaning to do here but no motivation to do it :)

I love the calendar frame. I don't know if I've ever seen one before. Neat idea.

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

G'mornin'! That black looks GREAT!

I have a spoon collection from all over the world, AND a holder... can't find a spot on the wall for it, though... (since the girls now have our old 'guest' room, where it used to hang.)

Puva said...

Congratulations! There's usually a huge sense of satisfaction when we've completed stuff we were supposed to do! I'm so proud of you! Well done, Mer! :) I'm going to check out your recipes blog too! Good day!

Gretchen said...

Yay you! I seem to be able to keep about 1/2 of my house clean, about 1/2 the time. I know what you mean about out of sight--out of mind. I do that with cookies, etc., and it's amazing that I actually do leave them alone. Of course not always *grin*, but you know what I mean.

Megan L Hutchings said...

I always feel better after I have cleaned the house ;)! It allows me to concentrate on other wonderful things!!!

I love the calendar holder. Could you find out where she got it?!

Jacquie said...

I need a stay-home-and-clean-like-a-madwoman day myself. Bad.

I'm LOVIN your spoons. Especially the one that's second from the right.

Tiffani said...

2 bits 4 bits 6 bits a DOLLAR...
All for Meredith stand up and Hollar!!!

Good for you girl...I should take a lesson from your example...I tend to STRAIGHTEN and put away all the time but serious CLEANING?!? Yep, mine is at the point of yuck, too!

I LOVE that calendar thing and the spoons too..I've always wanted to collect those spoons and love looking at them when we visit places...I love that yours is the size it is...you should trade them out inconspicuously and then tell whoever figures out what was changed gets a small treat ;)...hee hee!

Great job, girl! Proud for you!

lisa@littlesliceoflife said...

I missed you while John was holding your laptop hostage.

Love the calendar and frame!

I love your Nana's spoon collection. How special! I've got my Mammaw's miniature pitcher collection but I've never displayed it because I'm not sure how to do it. You've inspired me to work on that!

Stephanie Kay said...

Wow! You were productive. I think I might need to try your method. Or duct tape some kids to a wall. That would be effective but might get me into trouble. = )

leigh said...

Impressive! I'm doing pretty well on the 'spending freeze' but not so well on the whole 'cleaning up from Christmas' thing.

Brenda said...

Sounds like the plan worked for you. I can't do that since my husband works in the basement! Have to come up with another one.
It's amazing what a little paint will do and how it can be done so quickly.

Ingram Gang said...

I love productive days. My day Monday was like that. I cleaned the house from top to bottom, cleaned out drawers, painted a book shelf and on and on. I had two little ones running around too. But, I felt so accomplished.
I love how you are a Starbucks junkie like me. I am a sucker for a latte. mmmmmmm

Unknown said...

Good work! I didn't even know calendars could have frames. Yours is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Way to go on getting life at home back into order! I need to do the same thing in a major way! If I had a surprise visit I think I would die of shame at the condition of our house! I'm normally a everything in its place kind of girl. Over the holidays my husband and I tackled some painting around the house and things got behind. My husband offered to give two yucky closets a fresh coat of white paint so after I could try to reorganize them. But, right now all the junk from the closet is all over the house while the paint drys. Plus, I tried to tackle unpacking those remaining boxes from October when we moved into our new / old house and I still haven't found new places for some of the stuff in those boxes. This place is a mess! I hope reading your post inspires me to get things back into order!

Love the calendar frame! I've never seen one before! Way too cute that you painted it black! What a good idea! Looks nice on your paint color.

~ Ali

*carrie* said...

Glad you got so many projects done. My mom also has a spoon collection--I think about 2/3 of the US plus quite a few int'l ones.

A gift card was the perfect solution to your no spending Starbucks craving. =)

Michelle@Life with Three said...

Okay -- I'm completely inspired! My laptop needs to be sent away, as well. It is a HUGE distraction and I have about 10,000 other things I should be doing right now. Your productivity has inspired me! Congratulations on getting so much accomplished. That is the best feeling.

Amber said...

Oooooohhhh....I love your spoons! So cute.

So glad that you got soooo much done!!! :)

Lisa said...

I haven't recovered from the holidays yet, but you have inspired me. Tomorrow, I clean!!!
I love the calendar and spoons.

Lisa Q