Step 1

We're back from holiday and my organising and sorting has begun.  First the oven - it needs a good clean so I was up early this morning with the Mr Muscle and the lakeland oven cleaning gel stuff and on my knees.

Some very very stubborn burnt on stuff but it's getting there that's for sure.

We will have lived here 8 years next week - blimey.  Need to decorate the bedroom this summer, we redid downstairs this year and last (did the Kitchen over May bank holiday weekend I think it was) but other than the bathroom haven't done the bedroom since we moved in (we did it before we moved in - did the whole house whilst it was still empty the week before we moved in).  Since then we have decorated the bathroom 4 times - it's a lovely deep red at the moment which sounds wrong but works well.

I'm going to get all the 'stuff' sorted first them decorate - light and airy bedroom I think, but not sure what?  Nay ideas?  Any good blogs to get ideas from?

Nearly time to go clean the gunk out of the over before spending the afternoon baking for out Blooming Great Team Party in aid of Marie Curie Cancer at work tomorrow.   Victoria Sponge anyone?

Marathon Cleaning Session in Planning

So a few weeks ago my Mum phoned to tell me that as she didn't know when I was going to next go over to see them she was coming to see me. She would arrive on the 12th and be here until the 15th. No discussion, no questions - a statement. I have since found out that she has booked in with her hairdresser on the Friday, lucky coincidence or all part of the bog plan.

But here we are the weekend before they come over for the visit and this weekend will involve some major deep cleaning. I'm going to have the day off today, going to the gym, collecting my specs from the opticians and meeting The Boy for lunch, stocking up on tights (back to work next week) and buying something nice for supper (wonder if M&S are doing the £10 meal deal). Think I will get some new wool as well as I have just finished my last knitting project,time to move on from Scarves, perhaps a shrug?

I'm really looking forward to seeing M&D, we went over in May and speak all the time but it's not the same as seeing them (they used to live 6 miles away). Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on perspective) I start work after a 2.5 month hiatus the day after they arrive so won't be spending as much time with them as I had hoped (I also have to be away overnight on the Thursday night) but will still see them. My Brother's are off to Paris today and M&D are getting the TGV up tomorrow to meet them - I was really jealous but now I know that they are coming to see me next week I'm just jealous of Paris.

this has become a ramble.......

Sorting stuff

So I am sorting out my office this week, two years of stuff has built up and it's a mess. However the first thing I found was my letters and cards from friends and family over the years and I immediately got side tracked. The letters are lovely, filled with love and memories. So much so I have decided to reproduce them here - it's going to take some time but will make me smile, and the authors (well some of them) can reread what they wrote.

So back to the office, it's a mix of personal admin, receipts, work/papers from previous clients and a bit of a dumping ground for things I haven't been able to throw away. I am going to have to be strong about this - if it's not been touched for 6 months it really should go in the bin/shredder.

I stopped off at Ikea on my way back from Liverpool yesterday and bought some 'storage solutions' - that's boxes to you and me; and earlier this week received a beautiful bouquet from Mum (below) so by the end of the day my office will be organised, and a place of joy to work in (pah).

Before and after photo's will follow........

Sunday thoughts

I am tired, not sure why as I didn't really drink that much last night or go to bed that late but I would love to go back to bed now and spend some time just schluffing (thanks for introducing me to that word Zee).

Instead I am going to tackle the mess of shoes under my bed and get them put away and sorted. The only problem is The Boy was complaining about the mess yesterday and I don't want him to think that I am doing it because he was moaning - childish I know but hey!

I should really go to the gym but I had a protein shake for breakfast and it is sitting very heavy at the mo - see how I feel in an hour or so I guess.

Not working means that the weekend really just feels like the week but with the added distraction of The Boy being here which means that I can't get away with loosing a few hours doing nothing.

Oh well, papers to read, shoes to sort - onwards.