40 Chores in 40 Days (Day # 6)

Almost two hours and one major allergy attack later, the ex-playroom is finally clean! Now that chore made me work up a sweat. I discovered when looking over this room, pre-cleaning, that I am apparently the stuff hoarders are made of. Not that I wanted to keep anything, just the sad fact that I let it get to this point. We rarely use the downstairs part of our home. I pretty much only go down there to do laundry. So, I suppose out of sight, out of mind played a large role in the pure destruction of this room. That and I somehow manage to have monkeys instead of children. Having a playroom downstairs was a bad idea in the first place. They would never go downstairs and play. I think they believed something inhuman lived in the downstairs quarters that would eat small children who didn't obey their parents. Okay so I totally made that up! I have no idea why they never used the room that was full of way too many toys, but when they did use it they became tornadoes. Several months ago (okay maybe a year ago) I donated all the toys in the playroom so all that remained was pretty much trash and things that had no real home assigned to them. Removing and reassigning homes to lost things was the task at hand. Sounds fairly simple in theory. Some of you are probably laughing that I find organizing and de-cluttering to be such a difficult task, others of you are probably gasping in horror/shock that I am indeed a slob. It is even more shocking to those of you who know my Mother. She has one of the nicest, well kept houses I know. I did not get that gene from her. I only wish for it and truthfully, envy it. I think she somehow finds cleaning and decorating to be fun. Strange and unusual concept to me.

Anyway.... Here are a few things that I learned during this task.

1. Saving boxes from old electronic devices is never a good idea

2. Vacuuming with a shop vac takes a lot of time

3. I am not fond of small, dark spaces (I.E. the closet under the steps) Not afraid of it, just not fond!

4. However, I am terrified of spiders and I think they know it

5. It feels really refreshing to be accomplishing these chores and it really hasn't been too overwhelming

HUGE MESS! I can't believe I am posting this publicly

After

Before Closet

After Closet...No more boxes!

I am very grateful that this project is over and I am super excited about the plans I have for this room now. Here are a few photos that I am drawing inspiration from for our new home office/library! I know it's a while down the road, but just thinking about it makes me smile....I heart books, and a room where they surround me gives me a happy heart! Thank you pinterest!

I love everything about this space found on The Life of Polarn Per

BOOKS!!!!

Piano...I would imagine there will be some guitars as well!

More BOOKS...and love the curtain as well!

Jazz New Orleans Style

New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the Untied States. I love the atmosphere, the art, the food, the people, and the music. New Orleans is a city where music dwells in the streets, lingering on the ears of the people wandering by. This June my husband and I flew out to New Orleans to celebrate our anniversary. During our stay we took a stroll down historical French Quarter area and stumbled upon Royal Street. There we founded a talented group of street performer musicians singing for the crowd that was now lining the sidewalks, a crowd that was increasingly growing by the minute. The music filled the streets with it's own special personality, attracting people both young and old to stop and listen, and maybe even dance or at least tap their foot. The heart of this particular group of musicians was lead vocalist Sarah Peterson. Her voice was soulful, rich and timeless. This young woman didn't just sing the lyrics of these songs, but she felt them and allowed her voice to move with the rhythm and melodies like the songs where an outburst of her soul. Sarah and the very talented musicians that joined her in this time honoring tradition known as busking call themselves The Smoking Time Jazz Club. The band's chemistry is smooth and natural, bringing together upright bass, slide trombone, trumpet, saxophone, six string bass, washboard, and Sarah's vocal talent for a mix of perfection and down right Hot Jazz!

Something about about New Orleans

Nashville my home. A city that thrives on dreams, and music is away of life. The people of Nashville are a melting pot of culture, and if you look hard enough there is always something to do. Yes Nashville is my beloved home. However there is another city that has captured part of my heart. A city where the streets are shaded with old oak trees. I know a funny thing to remember about a city, but these oaks just look as if they hold the secrets to this marvelous city's rich past. As you walk the streets and admire the grace, and humble beauty of the buildings and homes, and listen to the rumble of the charming streetcars making their rounds. Which they have been doing for over 150 years. I find that impressive myself. Yes this city is rich with character from the French Quarter to the hidden treasures on almost every street. As for the people they are not much different from the city herself full of character, class, pride, overcoming, and beauty, but honestly in a city like New Orleans I didn't expected the people to be any less than beautiful. These folks make hope a way of life, and they are truly what I love most about this city. The New Orleanians definitely don't hide behind mask. So this city that has stolen a piece of me away from my home city of Nashvegas. This rising above the odds New Orleans. A city where art lines the streets, music fills the humid air, and a bad meal is just not easy to come by. This beautiful vintage city with a charm and romance like no other city in America. There is just something about New Orleans!!!