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Monday, July 31, 2017

Happy Homemaker Monday

updated...sadly this might be my last post for awhile.  If I go AWOL please know it's not by choice.  I am having really strange things going on either with the computer or inter net for a couple of days.  
Cross your fingers for me.  I hope to see you soon!
Welcome to my regular Monday post.  I join Sandra and a few friends to share our plans for the week. 
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The Weather
 Thankfully it's predicted a little cooler.  Low to mid 90's this week.  

Right Now I  Am
 Thinking I am gratful it will be cooler.  Last week was really hot.  I am in and out in the heat alot.  It wears a person down!

On My Reading Pile
 A few to read on the Kindle . . . A few for Great Escape Tours
Deadly Choices 
Death Distilled
A Knit Before Dying
 I'll be reading this one with my grandson for the Litfuse Tour

Unfortunately I didn't get a print copy of this one.  I'll be spotlighting  for the I Read Book Tour. There is a giveaway for the tour.  My spotlight will post on August 16th.
 


Something Fun to Share
 Watch for my spotlight post on the 16th to enter the giveaway for the above book.  The book will be mailed directly to the winner from the author!
I am thankful for
 A morning off.  Especially since I am behind getting this post written!
In the garden
3 pumpkin plants growing.
Cucumbers are dwindling.  I planted them early got a great harvest though.  Next year I will do two plantings.

On the menu this week
 Monday--Chicken/Dressing, Green Beans, Carrots, Salad
Tuesday--Taco's
Wednesday-- Pork 
Thursday
Friday 

In the kitchen
Sweet, tart and oh so delicious! Lemon Blueberry Bread I tried this yesterday.  It was really good but just not what I wanted.  It was more cake like than bread.  
Back to the drawing board. Or should I say Pinterest board.

Fabulous Features
 I guess no features this morning.  Having a weird problem with internet today not loading webpages.  Hmm.

On of my simple pleasures
 No schedule.  A slow simple day with no pressure.  Awe.

Devo./ Scripture
Sharing an old one from my files.  Sometimes a dirty pony makes you smile. 





Sunday, July 30, 2017

Simple Sunday


Have A Blessed Day

The Fabulous Party All Day Everyday Link Your Posts Anytime

Welcome
I had  some very nice comments when I brought the party over her a few weeks ago. 
So I thought we'd go on the road again!

The rules are simple
 link something Fabulous and Family Friendly! 
    Each link is pinned on Saturday 
      2 links featured  on my
                 Happy Homemaker Monday post.  (next week)
Invite your friends!
Let's party!

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Thankfully we were able to repair an older computer. Sharing with Wordless Wednesday.
 Add A Caption








Why I Clean Houses / It's O.K. To Hire A House Keeper Part 1

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Hello Dear Friends
I think of hearts and flowers when I think of you.  So I wanted to begin my post with a cute little heart/flower banner.  
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 I am having a great week.  I hope you are too!  

  
Tonight  (Wednesday)  my chores consist of cleaning the kitchen from a huge meal on  Tuesday lunch.  

I see your Gasp.

But I have an excuse. This time (I really didn't say that did  I?) 
Our son and his family arrived Sunday night at 9:00 pm for a short stay.  So it is  a crazy couple of days they will early on Friday morning.  



Have you ever had one of those weeks and then you were burdened and labored with chores to do?  

I know your nodding.  We've all had those weeks! Whether your semi retired and working again or your a young mom. 
 I know you can relate. 

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 Today on my list was of course the kitchen, laundry, vacuuming the floors and then mopping.  It is 12:45 and I am almost done.  I don't have a tiny house but it is small enough that chores only take a fraction of the time that they once did.  

Plus I've gotten pretty fast because I clean houses for a living.  
I know I see it another 

Gasp

I know call me crazy but I do.  And I love it.  I love setting my own hours.  I realize I actually enjoy cleaning.  Now.  


But back in the day. Not so much!

Now walking into a mess isn't anything like walking into my own mess.  A few short hours later that mess is all sparkly.

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Waaay back in the day when I was a stay at home mom I had the chance to have a house keeper.  I know another . . . 

Gasp

 I really didn't need it but I could so I did.  The Cowboy traveled alot and so it was somewhat of a single mom household most weeks.  The Cowboy wasn't able to be around for afternoon activities etc.  

 Basically I/we realized that with someone helping with the deep clean then it freed me up to do more fun things with the kids. 
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My kitchen never looked like this.  We didn't have a cool faucet back then. We always as a family on the night before the cleaner came made sure dinner was cleaned up.   I planned my menus for a simple meal that was super easy to clean.  Or we ate out.  
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The kids rooms did Not look like this.  And frankly as a house keeper I wouldn't touch this.  I did have a house early on that started out similar.  Dawng I wish I could remember to take before and after photos!

The big rule in our home was nothing on the floor everything put away.  

The cleaners job was to vacuum and change sheets and dust.  My kids had plenty of storage and knew how to use it.  Many times as pre-schooler's they had to 'buy their toys back'.  I was a 'mean' mom

I inspected in the morning on cleaning day. Actually every day.
(That's the key...and a post for another day)
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If the rooms didn't meet my inspection they didn't get cleaned. 
I wish I had the forethought to photo/document all this for you and me and my grown children. The guilty party had to clean their own room that afternoon even if it meant not getting to do something they wanted.  They knew the night before the cleaner was coming.  

There were really no excuses but there were a few times my son rebelled. Actually I can't say he rebelled he just got distracted. 
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For the most part the houses that I clean now are easy to clean. Just big!  I've arranged my portfolio (that sounds fancy. HeHe
I've learned teenage boys don't make messes all they do is play electronic homes.  

Teen age girls that's another story.  None of my clients have girls. 
(I pick and choose my clients)

My clients are all professional working couples and have plenty of money to spend on a house keeper.  
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There is no way we were anywhere near their income level back in the day but we managed easily.  I didn't pay alot for a cleaner. 
I was cheap.  I paid the cleaner from my 'play' money and well honestly I didn't want to share too much.  

Today you can get a professional cleaner for anywhere from 
$10.00 to $25.00 an hour.  Care.com is a super easy, simple and safe way to find a cleaner.  Word of mouth is even better!  

Are you wondering do you need a housekeeper?  Are you wondering can you afford a housekeeper or cleaner?

The answer is yes for a couple of reasons.  

You/your family deserves it
The cleaner you choose needs a good gig!

There are a couple of things you shouldn't do . . . 
Don't feel guilty.  Don't wait.  

And one thing you should do.  Pray about hiring a housekeeper.
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Back in the day I didn't look like this when I cleaned our home.
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It was the '80's maybe I looked a little more like this.

For us it was a good thing to do.    I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions about hiring a housekeeper. 
  Maybe it's right for your family. 


Linking with a few fun parties.
The list is on my parties page










Tuesday, July 25, 2017

This and That on Tuesday

Hello 
I hope your day is starting off Fabulous.  Oh goodness that word.  I am stuck on it!  Speaking of the Fabulous Party 
The party is over.  Come by and just visit or link up!  Any 
Fabulous post is welcome!

I am posting a book review this morning over at my reading blog. 
The author is offering a free print copy just to my readers.  
That's cool.  
She knows you are all Fabulous!
To enter just go over here.  Leave a comment and follow my book blog.  I will choose a winner on August 1.  Kate will be mailing the book right away.  
Did you know I started another fun party?
It's all about things that Warm Your Heart
Must be a warm heart
Feel free to join me and share your stories and/or photo's.
It's not about DIY's, Decorating or recipes. 
But maybe you have a special recipe that you can share a story about.  Or a decor project that has a story behind it.  
It's about writing a story about events and things that bring a smile to your face and Warms Your Heart
Click Here

Thanks for coming by. I hope you have a great day!
Today is a good day today  very happy about last night. Just looking forward to Tuesday now for a brew with a very close friend who I love so much.