What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Spring Cleaning ~Room by Room: Living Room #Flatten the Curve #Stop the Spread #COVID-19 #Stay Home

When I returned home from staying with family,

I made a commitment to self isolate for 14 days.

Since I had traveled from out of state,

I did not want to take the chance of

spreading this virus, just in case I was a carrier.

This photo illustrates what is most important.

Notice the words...

Home and Families.

Staying at home is a perfect time to tackle Spring Cleaning.

With our foyer complete, I moved on to the Living Room.

It had been a while since I cleaned all the way to the edges.

Remember, last spring I was occupied with

a temporary part-time job,

a trip to stay with family in Okinawa,

a trip to visit family in NH & MA,

and a fractured fibula.

So, it is good to feel like I have some

purpose and direction while here at home.

The Living Room is where I like to “show off”

some of my favorite things...

Great Aunt Birdie’s Sewing Machine,

gifted to me by Aunt Mona.

I also used this opportunity to change the centerpiece

and pillows from Winter to a Spring theme.

We are all set for April Showers and May Flowers here.

When I’m not Spring Cleaning,

I have spent some time in my Sewing Studio.

This Face Mask pattern was posted

on the Avera St. Lukes Hospital Website.

It goes together pretty quickly.

Let’s all do what we can to stop the spread

of COVID-19 so we can return to our lives and enjoy

familiar spring and summer activities.

Stay in your homes.

Wash your hands.

Don’t touch your face.

As of yesterday, my 14 day self-isolation expired.

Thankfully, I feel fine.

Stay safe and well.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Spring Cleaning ~Room by Room: the Foyer ~Social Distancing ~COVID-19 ~Flatten the Curve ~Stop the Spread

I have been home for a week and a day.

Since I had traveled home from a high risk area,

in two planes, through three airports, 

I committed to self-quarantine for 2 weeks.

If  I am carrying the Virus, I don’t want

to pass it on to anyone else.

As you know symptoms don’t always show up right away,

 and the recommended time to self-isolate is 14 days.

So far, I feel perfectly fine.

When I returned home I first cleaned

everything with Lysol Spray...

my luggage,

the doorknobs,

the light switches,

the remotes,

and all the handles in the house.

Since most of you are stuck at home, there is

no better time to start your Room by Room Spring Cleaning.

As you can see, I stripped the room

and cleaned everything from top to bottom.

  I have displayed some of my grandmother’s hats.

Remember, a lady did not leave her house

without covering her head.

This is my Grandma, Hilda,

with her mother’s headstone in 1964.

He mother, Caroline,

would have been 100 years old that year.

 

On the back if that vintage frame, my mother’s handwriting...

From over eight decades ago.

These are the names of the girls

that she lived with in that Girls Dormitory.

Other keepsakes in our foyer include this

Vintage Chair from the Normania Country Schoolhouse,

which was just a mile from our farmhouse.

I purchased that shopping bag at the World Market

when our daughters and I traveled to Hawaii, years ago.

This doll greets everyone who visits our home.

Notice those little scissors?

They belonged to my mother’s great aunt, Birdie.

She always carried them in her purse.

Your foyer is the introduction to your home.

While it may be the smallest room in your house,

it is also important to feature the style and colors

that visitors will see when they visit the rest of your home.

It feels so good to have the foyer clean from top to bottom,

that I have moved on to tackle the next room.

And most of all, stay in touch with your

family and friends

during this time of self-isolation.

Stay safe and well.

Take care,

~Natalie

Was Santa Good to You? My Family and Friends, They Spoil Me

I really do love the glow of the lights 

on the Christmas Tree. 

Our cats often sleep there,

in the warmth under the tree.

The other night, I was up in the night, 

and caught Lucy talking to Santa.

Maybe she was trying to convince Santa 

that she was not naughty, but nice?!

I will so enjoy my gifts, 

chosen just for me, 

with my likes and interests in mind.

From hubby, an upgrade to my Fitbit.

It was 15 months ago when I 

made a commitment to a healthier lifestyle, 

that includes regular exercise.

He also knows that my favorite candle scent is coffee...

These are not easy to find, but they do have them at the 

Karisma/Lost & Found Occasionals Boutique downtown.

Check out the coffee beans in the candle wax.

From our daughter and family in Okinawa, 

we received these treats to share with the whole family.

And this very special Santa for my collection.

They also sent their family photos,

all framed and ready for display.

Their photographer does a beautiful job.

From our daughter and hubby in Boston,

I received these much needed socks.

Notice the label?

“How cute are these?”

Also in their package, a new soup ladle. 

At one time, I had two, but have not seen them since I retired. 

I must have left them at school.

From our friends, Rebecca and Robert, 

we received these elegant canapé plates.

There were six plates in the set, 

so I guess we need to have a party!

My sister-in-law knows I like comfy, 

warm slippers for around the house. 

These are lined with fur!

From my mother-in-law, 

a year’s subscription to Rachel Ray’s Magazine.

 And as always, a care package of Avon products.

I think I have found a special spot 

for my new Santa to sit...

Right beside Baby Jack!

From my friend, Debra, 

I received gifts to pamper myself in the new year.

Along with such a cute calendar.

I love cats...I love vintage!

My family know I appreciate a good cup of coffee, 

and my new coffee maker has a built in grinder.

Santa brought these necessities.

I guess Lucy’s chat with Santa paid off...

She is one content kitty.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Take care,

~Natalie

Five Years Ago ~Miss Me...But Let Me Go

On this day, five years ago,

I said goodbye to my mother.

She had fallen and broken her hip.

At 92 years old, her body was so fragile.

After surgery, she suffered a stroke and died a few days later.

She now lives in a better place,

where her mind is sharp and her body is free from pain.

This was one of my favorite posts from February 2013

My always organized Mother keep all of her important papers in one place...

...in this vintage metal box.

It was in a small safe, with other important items, on the floor of her closet.

In this special (and always mysterious) box, I found birth certificates,

social security cards, my daddy's death certificate...

...and my mom's obituary that she had written for herself.

Tucked inside her Obituary, in her perfect penmanship,

was this poem. I want to share my find with our daughters,

Amy and Emily,

and with our extended family and my mom's friends.

Miss Me...But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little but not too long,

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared,

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take,

And each must go alone.

It's all a part of the Master's plan,

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart,

Go to the friends we know

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss me, but let me go.

Anonymous

Take care, 

~Natalie