June 12, 2025 So, Now What?

 I had a rather impressive, or so I thought, list of things I could finally do when we returned from our trip across the pond. Things that would aid in distracting me from the fact that the kitchen is still in its stripper stage.

I've hit a wall, of sorts. Earlier this spring, we had removed all the mulch from around the house because the dog was eating it, no matter what we did.  Tired of him puking on the carpet, in his crate, and leaving the even less appealing evidence on the yard, we dug it all out. At the same time, we culled out old flowers that had become root bound or were just not thriving. Now, thanks to that infamous list, I have fresh plantings in the beds, but no plans to add mulch or ground cover until I see what will thrive and how it fills out the space. Then I'll need some guidance on what to spread that won't appeal to the indiscriminate snacker. For now, my hand tiller will keep the soil mellow and weed-free. Check.

At an influencer's advice, I refreshed the beds. Here that means switching out the top quilts, throw pillows, and throws for a change. I don't have a big selection from which to choose due to shortage of storage space. Sometimes just rotating each bed is enough so the rooms don't feel stale. I did invest in a new quilt for our bed simply because I'd longed for it for some time...and it went on sale! And then, of all the nerve, Target came out with a new line of decorative pillows and throws. One new pillow and a couple lightweight throws have helped finish up three rooms that no longer make me want to close the doors as I pass by. Check.

No home project, in my mind, is to be done without a donation box for Goodwill. Check.

If necessary, I could go through the boxes and piles of kitchen contents again. I'm determined to rid myself of anything that has to be stored "just in case", or anything that simply is not being used. I long for the day I can open a cupboard and not say to myself, "why did I keep this?"! Okay, the kitchen contents can wait for a rainy day... 

I have done some baking, but the satisfaction I usually feel is fleeting with little to no space to do it. Today I actually bought a package of Oreos to avoid having to fill the cookie jar again this week. Blasphemy.

Bottom line is, I do have plenty to do. The "list" is ever evolving. I'm not sitting here, twiddling my thumbs.  Unfortunately, in spite of my good intentions of being patient no matter what, a deep yearning for my kitchen has hit me. Add that to the piles in the dining room and half of my office eating at me, it's making it hard to be satisfied with what I can do and accomplish.

Yes, I know it will all be worth it. I should have embroidered that on a pillow. ☘


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