Clean at last!

Whew! I had today off of work and spent the entire day cleaning. I am still in my PJ's! However, we have company coming tomorrow and it was the big push I needed to get some stuff done! I even pointed out to Paul that the clutter is pretty much gone enough to have someone come and clean our house for us!!! THAT is exciting! There are still a few minor things but I have my car loaded up with stuff for goodwill. I cleaned out my closet and got rid of about 20 pairs of shoes. (don't worry I still have many left!) I also got rid of lots of clothes, mostly winter stuff and things that I was keeping for wishful thinking. I didn't get attached and figured if I was hanging on to something that I didn't like just because it was a good piece was not good logic if I am not wearing it! If that makes any sense....I feel much better now. I also have room for new stuff!!! I am actually enjoying the space right now though. I don't feel up to shopping....maybe because I am tired!!!

Taaa-Daaaa!!!!

We now officially have 2 choir singers in the family! Houghton had his audition this afternoon for the Phoenix Boys Choir and was accepted. He was extremely proud and very excited. He was even more excited when he found out that he gets to sing with Paul (the Men's choir) at the Christmas concert! He told anyone and everyone who was around the good news. We now have a 'new parent' meeting to go to next week. I am sure we'll get all of the gory details and the parental requirements....money, time, more money etc. Fortunately, we're prepared! Paul is somewhat familiar with the goings on around there! Georg (director) seemed to be quite pleased and wants to use Paul and Houghton for marketing!! I am sure Houghton might like it more than Paul. We'll see. I am just glad that the training choir does not go away for camp!! I am not ready for that drama yet!!!

Seattle....BUSTED!!

Yes, Paul took his exam and well, not so good. Even though we don't (and won't) have the results for a while, he did not have enough time to answer all the questions. He felt good about knowing the material, just not enough time. Paul is pretty sure he won't make it even though there could still be a chance! Soooo, no Seattle for me. Well, I technically am supposed to go anyway but, we are going on a 15 day road trip and I have used up all of my vacation time at work. I am very proud of him though and will enjoy the fact that I have him until next year! Let the projects begin!!



Also on the homefront, We received Houghton's sumer homework for next year. I am excited. Good books and he is encouraged to "write, write, write" and so the both of us are going to work on journaling. Also, we are going to write about our roadtrip. He also received a recommendation from his music teacher to try out for the boys choir.



It made me smile since Paul is still in the Alumni choir (now called 'the Masters') so we talked about it since it will be a big commitment on Houghton's part as well as ours. Fortunately the choir building is not too far from home. We will have some juggling to do I am sure since he will still be swimming. He decided to forgo soccer this fall to do choir....so we'll see. It's Pauls job to call and set up the audition.



Mary and I are still doing swim lessons for the remainder of the month. Then, once school is out we are going to play it by ear since there's a lot going on. She is swimming soo well!! She is also potty training. I don't remember Houghton being this difficult. She really picks and chooses when she wants to go on the potty. At least now, she's choosing to go more on the potty but it's definitely on her terms!



We spent Mother's Day at the Wildlife World Zoo. It was nice me and the kids and my mom and Glen went. It was very nice weather, a little on the warm side, but good. It is a nice zoo but expensive!! They do have the white (albino) alligator. According to the sign they keep it inside so that it won't get sunburned! So, Mary was very excited and jumped up and down and so did the alligator, right at the glass! Mary screamed and was freaked out! The alligator was attacking the glass!! Knowing that the glass was there made it funny, but really kinda creepy! Needless to say if you ask her about the trip she'll tell you "the alligator scared me!" It's cute!!



This is Houghton and Mary in Grandma & Grandpas tree after our trip to the zoo!

Pack rat NO MORE

So, I am trying really hard (or trying to try really hard) to throw things out. I have lots of things saved. I have now enlisted a self-help book to "help" me. Strangely enough in the book the author talks about how people buy organizing materials, containers shelves etc. but don't realize that 20cu ft of stuff is not going to fit into 10cu ft of space. No matter how you rearrange it. So, since I think he wrote this book specifically for me (amazing since we've never met), I am going to give it a shot. I just wish I had more time. (don't we all!?) Paul is thoroughly excited and is doing his best to be encouraging. I also know he's not really holding his breath!

Things are always crazy around here and I have been totally exhausted by the end of the day I haven't really gotten much done. I think I might have to rearrange my schedule and actually "schedule" cleaning time. It is a bit overwhelming and I am trying to take one room at a time.
My reward is going to be paint. Yes, paint. I really want to paint the whole house and do some home improvement stuff so once I clean out the clutter hopefully it will make everything easier to do some painting etc. That's what I keep telling myself anyway.