That pretty much sums up the current state of affairs here. We are tackling ‘spring cleaning’ now, taking advantage of second trimester energy while it lasts. We have some major jobs to finish. If they don’t happen now it will more than likely be next summer before it happens. It is amazing how skipping just a few things on the Home Mgt lists can sink you. That happened this spring. Nothing huge but the weekly deep clean tasks like “empty one drawer/cabinet” didn’t always happen. With ten to twelve people in the house you can lose a LOT of ground if you don’t do that every week.

I started with the kitchen. Judging by how long this is taking I know we won’t hit the whole house this summer. If we get the kitchen, school room, sunporch room and exterior work done then the rest can be handled during focus days.

So far, we have scrubbed down the built-in bench, which I dearly love. It is made from old church pews from a local chapel that was torn down. I love LOOKING at it anyway. It was a bear to clean being bolted down. Got the cabinets scrubbed and am working my way through purging and wiping the interiors. Allen replaced the kitchen faucet. It was leaking badly. We invested in a better quality this time since the old faucet was not that old – just cheap. We went with a bronze and copper finish since that is what the rest of the fixtures in the downstairs are slowly being replaced with.

There are still windows. The frames and runners need to be scoured well. The tile and grout need to be resealed. I suspect the old wood floor does as well. I don’t actually know how to do either of those jobs however so some Googling will have to happen first.

We are looking at a desk some friends are passing on tomorrow in hopes that it will be a good fit in the family room. If so then the kitchen will no longer house the “office” and that move will happen.

Painting the trim is last. We have been here five years and it shows. I would love to paint the whole room but after the job the bathroom was I suspect it will be another five years before that is tackled! The ceilings in the kitchen and dining room are coffered and there are no less than seven pendant light fixtures in the kitchen. I don’t have the oomph for it honestly. We are learning to love shell pink I tell myself it is not unlike the Waldorf lazure wall finishes lol!

Other big project in progress is landscaping. Like I said, it’s been five years now…. It is time! Landscaping is a huge undertaking out here though. You fight the elements the whole way. Instead of a yard there is the equivalent of a city block to maintain. Read: lots of $$ I am amazed at how much even small improvements cost out there! We can’t swing it all this year but we are starting with the front of the house. Asher has hauled over a good foot deep of compost (ie manure pile!) to fill in the spaces. We covered that with landscape fabric since the one thing we can reliably grow is weeds. I put in a few creeping Juniper bushes and today must get some estimates for a truckload of something to cover it all with. I am told mulch will blow right off my landscape fabric so it will likely be stone/gravel. Asher will love me. ; D

We plan to paint the first floor window trim outside as well. It has taken a beating from the wind. Probably will hit the mailbox while we are at it. That should help with a little curb appeal, not that we have a curb.

Anyway, if you are interested, here is the text of the Grand Plan cleaning scheme. It is a great addition to the Home Management Binder, reminding you about odd jobs you may not have thought of.

Another good reminder was Lady Lydia’s words about work as a blessing.

Mothers have to delight in their work in order to give the children a healthy concept of work. God gave us work so that we would be happy, and the Bible says that in all labor, there is profit. The results of labor is sometimes the only reward we need, as we see the house looking better and the children appreciating it more. So, when working, it isn’t too smart to act like a martyr, moaning and groaning and complaining. If you want children to love work, you have to at least act like you enjoy it and find something good about it. They will usually grow up having the same attitudes as the parents

Admittedly I felt less blessed by the end of yesterday than the beginning. This was our first work day with the big girls gone so the rest of us are splitting up their chores. She is right however. Acting the martyr isn’t smart at all. It is better to just rest before being overcome. Going to paste that on my forehead and dive in again. Have a wonderful day!