Week42? How is that possible?

I had a busier than normal week, but most of it was spent doing some cleaning and getting the house ready for houseguests, as well as a general getting the place spit spot for the upcoming holiday season. As I have said before I do not like housework. It is strictly a chore to me.

Monday: This was a work around the house day. I found many, many items to be donated to The Exchange Club. There was a serious joy when the truck came to pick it up and I did not have to load the car and take it anywhere. I am fortunate that we are in a neighborhood where they have door service every 6 or so weeks.

It was Monday freebie day at The Pig butTheHub wanted me to wait until he got home so he could go with me. ThePig has a really good wine and beer department and he was in the mood to browse, but suggested we first go to Vecchia and use the gift cards we had from there. No cooking? I will always say yes to that.

Tuesday: Hands down this was my favorite day. I was able to volunteer at Independence Place where the participants learned to make taco soup. I came home, did a bit of cleaning then TheHub and I went to see the musical"Mean Girls". Our season tickets are for the Sunday matinee, but we knew we were having houseguests and opted to change to opening night. We were really pleased to get our exact seats with the ticket swap, but we missed seeing those friends we have made over the years who sit around us.

Wednesday: More deep cleaning happened. All the downstairs common areas are now ready for the holidays. Can you believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner? 

The hardwood floors are cleaned and waxed (they look so good) and all the interior windows are washed. 

I also began a daily fika break. DIL3 had taught me about the Swedish tradition during the shorter days of the year, to take a mid/late afternoon coffee break and have a little bite of something sweet with it.  Coffee and some keto granola was a great way to start.

Thursday: The upstairs bedrooms and baths were completely cleaned, fresh sheets were on the beds, and the rooms were readied for guests. 

Friday: All 5 guests arrived mid afternoon. 3 of them live in NYC and had said in advance they were craving southern barbecue. I could have smoked a butt in advance, but I figured because there are 4 different bbq joints right around our neighborhood, it was a message from the universe to do take out, and just personally make a few of the sides.  We had a lovely dinner and great conversations.

Saturday: This was game day, the reason they were all here in the first place.  After a ham and biscuit breakfast (gotta keep the southern theme going) all the males (including TheHub and Son2) left for Tuscaloosa. DIL3 was here for the weekend and DIL2 came over.  We watched the first half then had our fika time with coffee and cookies. I was enjoying being with them and talking that we forgot to watch the game until about the middle of the third quarter.

After the game, I got busy changing the dining room decor to celebrate Son3 and DIL3's 5th anniversary. I figured is she was willing to spend their day here while her husband was at the game, I could at least do something a little special for her. I think they were very surprised to see the room set with the china, wine glassed and champagne flutes. The celebration was with a bunch of other folks, but that is what happens when you include friends in your weekend.

Look for your joys. They are always there, even if you have to look really hard!

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne