I have a secret.
For the past month or more, my house has been an absolute disaster.
I am not talking about slightly disarrayed.
I’m talking “choose the path you want to walk through” kinda disarray.
I’m not being hard on myself, though. I really did have a few very good reasons. In fact, four reasons. And they all coincided at the same time.
I was dealing with some ongoing medical issues.
I sold and closed my business and had to move out of my office, and set up a temporary office at my home.
(this said temporary office was relocated to our Dining Room table, I am ashamed to say.)
I can’t even begin to describe what a mess that was.
Also, we went to Florida for a week. It was a vacay. A much-needed vacay. But, we left the same afternoon that I moved the final box out of my office, and also dumped my temp office onto our Dining Room table. (oh, yes we did!)
The fourth event was the Southern Bloggers Conference. The final week prior and the Conference itself almost zapped all of us. Worth every minute we spent planning it, but zapped us none the less.
All the while – laundry was piling up, dust bunnies were battling for dominance, piles of paperwork were multiplying like…well, dust bunnies.
In between, there was blogging. After all, the blogging must go on right? 🙂
I joyously celebrated my first week of being a full-time Blogger amidst a home which was less than picture perfect. Well, unless the show Hoarders needed some new material. 🙂
So what does one do when the house is in total upheaval and you feel all hope is lost?
Why, you plan a huge party at your house to take place in a week.
Of course.
It has always been my contention that there is nothing like having a party to make you clean your house.
And clean I have been doing.
Granted, it’s a birthday party for my soon to be
3-year old grandson, Roo. But, it’s a party all the same.
I am happy to say my temporary office has been moved to the Bonus Room where it will be eventually organized and set-up for my blogging and my online shop, details!
I am blessed to have a bi-monthly cleaning lady, and she earned her pay (and a nice tip) this week.
My laundry is caught up and the dust bunnies are under control once again with her help. I will tell you we cleaned like mad women today.
Peace and orderliness once again reign supreme at Castle Garrett.
Just in time for the onslaught of about ten 3-year old darlings. 🙂
But, for a short while – I am relishing the fact that I don’t have to walk around, over and through “stuff.”
Oh yea, my outside decor is finished, also. If you missed the prior two posts…. here is my Italian Planter featuring Mr and Mrs Roo –
And my cute little birdie feeder dressed up in autumnal faire.
I can’t wait to share with you the Fall decor inside the house. 🙂 (now that it is clean and I can actually take pics)
Sharing with:
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Heather at Setting for Four for It’s A Party!
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for Open House Party
Heather at Setting for Four for It’s A Party!
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for Open House Party
Heather and Vanessa @ at the picket fence for Inspiration Friday
Don’t forget to join me for “Yay or Nay Thursday!” where I will post the results of last week’s vote “Wallpaper,” and also reveal this week’s subject.
xxoo
Nancy @ The Headmistress says
Everything is just beautiful, beautiful!!! Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring!
View CommentNancy
Barb @ The Everyday Home says
Thanks Nancy. That is very sweet. xxoo
View CommentAnne says
Well your front porch sure looks beautiful! I get behind on things too! There just is not enough time in the day!
View Commentxx
Anne
Barb @ The Everyday Home says
Amen, Anne. I need at least a 9-day work week. 🙂
View CommentShelia says
Hey Barb! Your outdoors looks wonderful and how nice to have your insides all clean and sparkly! I’m looking forward to seeing inside that pretty red door.
View Commentbe a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Barb @ The Everyday Home says
I have a few finishing touches but otherwise I am ready for my closeup, Mr Demille. 🙂
View CommentKathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
That’s a fabulous wreath, Barb! I understand how it goes ~ just having our flooring done was a mess because things had to come out of various rooms and sit somewhere. Then we got the bedroom carpet done last Friday and it started over again. Add to that all the stuff I’ve got together for my holiday market {which has to store somewhere!} and I feel like my house is still out of sorts.
View CommentBarb @ The Everyday Home says
Kathy – we have needed our floors refinished for years but I keep putting it off b/c of the chaos you describe above. I keep telling myself the floors aren’t “that” bad. LOL
View Commentmarty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Oh Barb, your porch is gorgeous. I love the wreath and all of your decor. Stunning. Hugs, Marty
View CommentBarb @ The Everyday Home says
I can’t take credit for this wreath. I know I usually make my own but when I saw this one I lost my heart. and then my wallet. 🙂
View CommentDecoratopia says
Your porch looks wonderful – great job! I especially love your large topiaries. Are they real? They’re wonderful.
Jacki
View CommentRita May says
Your porch is fall perfection! Forget the rest of the house and just sit on your porch and breathe! Enjoy what you have created.
View CommentShenita @ Embellishments by SLR says
Well, Barb, you just never disappoint with your fall porch! Everything looks so festive and welcoming! I love it!
View CommentSuzy says
Beautiful Barb! I just love your wreath and the wonderful assortment of pumpkins that you have. I’ll be sharing this on the Worthing Court facebook page tomorrow night (since I’m so late reading it today). And you’re so right about that last week before the conference – totally zapped, but SO WORTH IT! I’m ready for the next one – bring it on!
View CommentKathysue says
Barb I agree with the Party theory, there is nothing like a party or special company to get one moving on the stuff we keep putting off!! I think I need another intervention too!! Love all that you have done!! Kathysue
View CommentJane@Cottage at the Crossroads says
Barb, you sure do work well under pressure! Everything looks fabulous!
View CommentKim @ Savvy Southern Style says
You have been busy. Yes anytime anyone is coming over the house must be cleaned. I am in full cleaning mode, too since I have a very special guest coming this weekend. Your outside looks fabulous.
View CommentLaura from Top This Top That says
Hey you missed a spot in the hall way!:)
View CommentFABBY'S LIVING says
Gorgeous front porch lovely friend, you did a marvelous job fall decorating it! Very warm, cozy and inviting! Big hugs,
View CommentFABBY
thistlewoodfarm says
Barb,
There was that organizer from Hoarders at the Southern Bloggers Conference….I’m just sayin’ 🙂
Your front porch looks amazing!
blessings,
View Commentkarianne
Karen says
Your porch looks beautiful, love all of the fall decor. Good lick with your new business,
View CommentRamblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G says
Your porch looks so pretty and inviting! Love the touches of burlap! …Hope the party goes off with a bang! …in a good way! 🙂
View CommentCoastal Cottage Dreams says
Barbara:
Your front porch looks lovely…..
View CommentPat@Back Porch Musings says
Gorgeous Fall!
View CommentStacey says
Your porch is so pretty nobody would ever know! We all have times like that. Thank goodness it’s not all the time.
View CommentJenny Sellars says
A party…thats what I need to plan to get my house cleaned up! Thanks for the suggestion! ;>) hehehe! Just vaccuumed for the first time since the conference downstairs and yipes! I think I have a second dog now!
View CommentCynthia says
This is gorgeous, I love all the touches of fall. The wreath is amazing and the garland in the transom is great. I also love the pumpkin filled with gourds.
Cythia
View CommentAlycia Nichols says
How yyou will survive ten 3-year-olds running around is beyond me! I salute your ambition! 🙂 It sounds like your home has looked like mine did over the last several weeks until I got started deep-cleaning in anticipation of 6 weekend guests. The cleaning process was long, methodical, and physically taxing…but OH was it worth it!!! Those dust bunnies of which you speak…gone! They went the way of the cobwebs in the storage area and the grease build-up on the range hood and the fingerprints on the front storm door. Boxes of tablescaping stuff are now put away and better organized than ever. The upstairs fridge got a huge cleaning inside and out. (I just prayed that no one would actually open the tiny fridge behind the bar since it didn’t make the cut!) So you are not alone, my sister. You are not alone! Now let’s kick back and enjoy the fruits of our labor, if only for a moment. We deserve it! 🙂 BEAUTIFUL front entry, Barbara! Absolutely picture perfect!
View CommentShirley@Housepitality Designs says
Love your porch…now if you find those great topiaries missing….don’t look my way…”he went that-a-way”…..A party is always a good thing…it makes you finish up projects and such…believe me…been there done that….Have a great party…sounds like lots of fun!!!
View CommentMaria says
How absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! Your porch looks fantastic! I love all the fall touches, and love the house number on the pumpkin – such a cute touch!!!
View CommentBrandi says
I love your fall decorations. Your house looks so welcoming. Glad things are back in order for you. Hope your grandson has a happy birthday.
View CommentKristens Creations says
Your fall front porch is beautiful Barb! The red door makes it so welcoming. So glad you joined my party!! Kristen
View CommentRenna says
You have such Talents! I love all of your outdoor decor!! Have a Blessed weekend!!
View CommentHeather SettingforFour says
Thanks so much for linking up your beautiful fall porch! I am featuring it today here!
View Commenthttp://www.settingforfour.com/2012/10/its-party-time-features-week-10-21-2012.html
Hope to see you at tomorrow’s party!!