@ Home & Happy

Today is an @ home day for me.

After a busy week it's been nice to stay home and get caught up on things.  I don't know about you, but when I'm busy running in and out, the house starts to suffer.  Piles here and there needing attention.

While I'm not the type who has to have an immaculate house, I do better with a certain level of order.

On an @ home day I like to start by making the bed.

It seems to set the tone for the day and makes me feel like I've accomplished something right off the bat.

Next I like to go from room to room tidying things as I go.

Once the bits and pieces are where they belong, it's time for a swipe with the Swiffer duster.  I like how they get in all of the nooks and crannies quickly as this isn't the time for moving objects.

Next comes the vacuum.

As I go I pick up the rugs and take them out for a good shake.

It was a chilly shake today as our temperatures have dropped into the low 60s.  Last night we faced the possibility of old Jack Frost coming to nip at our plants.  For good measure I moved my newly purchased tomato plants into the garage and draped a sheet over my hibiscus tree.  Luckily the frost didn't show up.

Once in a while I really get my act together on an @home day.

Today was just such a day.

Before I began my cleaning, I filled the crock pot with the ingredients for dinner.  Now once I'm done with my work I won't be faced with the age old question of  "what's for dinner?"

I don't know who invented crock pots, but I think I love that person.

I don't use mine nearly as often as I should.  However, when I do I love that feeling of having dinner taken care of so early in the day.

By the way, I'm still using the crock pot I got as a wedding gift in 1981.  I tend to keep my small appliances as long as they continue to work.

 

So now that order has been restored and the smells of Garlic Pork Roast are filling the air, I'm off to read a few chapters until dinner time.  I guess you might say I'm adding the Happy to my @Home.

***

Speaking of Happy, I want to share some of the happiest news I've received in ages with you.  On Sunday I called my sister and was so elated to hear her say "Happy Birthday" to me and from there she was able to say several more words.  In talking to my brother-in-law I learned that he has noticed this change in the last month.  In June it will be 3 years since she had her stroke.  I'm so encouraged that her hard work is paying off.

Because many of you have been so kind to remember Norma in prayer, I wanted to let you know how your prayers have helped.  As I've mentioned before, the recovery from a stroke is a slow process.  This is the most encouraging sign I've seen in a while that brain connections are being made once again for my dear sister.

Now that really is something to be HAPPY about.

:-)