Ok, so My Own House of Horrors is not quite as bad as this:
My Own House of Horrors
But I always have a ton of school projects waiting to get done and there always seems to be laundry to fold.
Bathtub rings that need scrubbing and rubbish that needs to be emptied.
But last Friday I decided to leave it all behind and spend the day with my two special guys. I have found that if I apply the 20-year rule to my life, it makes decision making a lot easier.
What is the 20-year rule?
When I am pulled in a million directions I ask myself things like “Will there be laundry in 20 years?” Yes. “Will the rubbish need to be taken out in 20 years?” Yes. “Will this little person be asking me to go to the corn maze in 20 years?” Sadly, as a mother of a 21-year-old, I already know HOW FAST time flies. I maybe have 1~2 years left of pumpkin picking and corn maze meandering with this guy. The 20-year rule keeps my focus exactly where it should be.
I am so glad that I chose this activity over housework as it was so much fun to see Mr. Decor smile like a little kid on the swings.
I got a tremendous kick as Sweet Boy held up his hat the entire time he went through the hay maze so we “Wouldn’t lose him.”
Even though I was beyond tired and in desperate need of a nap, I did something that made me feel even better ~ I had a hay day with these two.
We now have happy memories of trying our best to pick a pumpkin in the darkening twilight.
Afterward, we had dinner across the road at del Piero located inside the Queen Creek Olive Mill.
The olive mill is the only one of its kind in Arizona. The oil that they produce has won numerous awards and the available flavors are amazing. They have a tasting bar and we took our bread and sopped up such flavors as chili, vanilla bean, and chocolate olive oil.
Mr. Decor polished off his yummy panini while Sweet Boy and I shared the special of the day~ vegetable lasagna.
I encourage you to overlook your own house of horrors and go make a memory.
Laura
What a fun day! You're so right about it all being there for you later. It's not like the laundry and the dust will get up and walk away! But you might not always have a chance to spend time with your family! Good choice!
MGM
Amen to memories!! I loveeeeeeeeeeee the photos…we are heading to one out in Glendale this weekend! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
Oh I loved this post! What a great time you had and the Twenty Year Rule … that is tremendous! I may have to write about this. You have a most wonderful day and week!!! Blesings.
I like the 20 year rule.
Kelly
Second Hand Chicks
You just had me remembering a memory of mine. I visited that same olive mill and ate lunch there. Great place. I visited Phoenix last year. Thanks for rekindling a great memory.
Wonderful day spent in perfect company creating happy memories! Living life as it should be. Always make time to play. I am loving all these photographs — genuine smiles not posed!
Your Friend,
Deborah
20 year rule! Well done! My husband used to tell me to go out with the kids, “The dust and dishes and laundry will still be there when you get back but the kids…they will be grown and on their own before we know it.” He was so right. But the great thing is…the kids always come home now that they are grown and I think it's because I left the dust and dishes and laundry and went out and had fun with them when they were little when it counted! And how much better it was for me too!
So glad you had such a nice day with your guys!
Please join me at my history blog _ I'd love to have you!
Ann
Ann
Ann here again…just tried to become a “follower” but google won't allow me. Please leave a comment on my blog so I don't loose you! Thanks!
Glad to know I'm not the only one with a personal house of horrors, lol. But oh well…. I'm glad that you chose the best activity which is to spend precious time with family.
Wonderful photos that are evident of a really fun day. 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful week,
Linda
Oh what a fun and special day. I think we all need to take more time for just some good fun. Everything will wait for another day. Hugs, Marty
Good Morning Laura Sweetie…
What a beautiful share. I love this corn maze that you all went to. Looks like DS had a wonderful time. Your smile is so contagious sweet friend. I hear your name and it makes me smile.
Loved the photo of the swings with Mr. Decor and DS. That one is priceless, and how thoughtful of DS to keep his hat up so that you all could find him all the way through. He is so handsome Laura.
The vegetable lasagna sounds wonderful. This place sounds heavenly. Thank you for taking me along this morning.
Have a beautiful Monday sweetie. Country hugs and SO much love, Sherry
At the end of the day, you'll remember time spent with loved ones more than a clean home. Bravo for recognizing that!
Laura
I will always remember the 20year rule!!! Great time had by all and a wonderful photo of you and your guys!
The Olive Mill sounds so cool!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I wish I would have known the 20 year rule when my daughter was little. We had much fun and many adventures together but now that she is grown, I wish there was a little voice here asking me to go pick pumpkins. Good for you! Looks like a fun day was had by all.
Did you see my post about the Olive Grove???
Looks like you had a fun day!!
I'm liking this 20 year rule. The day looks like it was very very fun, start to finish; love all the photos!
Wonderful advice, Laura. Thanks for the reminder! Enjoyed sharing your fun day!
Hey Laura! Sooo excited to see you in the Arizona Republic!! You must be so thrilled!
I have been so wanting to check out the Olive Mill. Thanks for the nudge to go now that the weather is perfect.
HI!!!
To bad we were out of town, you had to have been at Schenpfts farm!!!The Olive Mill is amazing and is just around the corner from me!!
how fun!!
I call the 20 year rule, a does it matter and can it wait til tomorrow, most of the “stuff” can!!!I prefer to play with my darlings too!!
hugs,
jamie
Dear Laura..you are so right..when my children were young I spent as much time as I could playing, crafting and goofing off with them…gives me sweet memories…enjoy your carefree days with Sweet Boy..
Makin' memories, good for you girl! From the smile in those pictures I can tell it was sure worth it!
God bless and have yourself an extraordinary day sweetie!!!!
Laura,
That is a great rule to live by and it looks like the trade off of chores vs memory making paid off big time by the smile on all your faces. Glad you got a break in your hectic schedule. I hope your day is filled to the brim with unexpected delights!
You are such a
sweet mama and
I love your rule
of 20!!! What
happy faces!
xx Suzanne
What fun! I have 4 sons…that are all grown…and I sure love the memories we made together! Now I have grandkids and that's fun, too! You really look beautiful! I love your cute hat! ♥
That's so adorable, your Sweet boy holding up his hat.
I like your 20 year rule, and being the mother of a 20 year old and a 17 year old, I truly appreciate the poignancy, especially at this particular time of year…
that sounds like an absolutely fantastic way to spend the day! we were supposed to go on a haunted hayride tonight, one of my favorite halloween activities, but it's rainy and gross out, and will undoubtedly be a real mess later. oh well.
at least we got to go to the pumpkin carve! so glad you stopped by and saw some of my faves, aren't they great? they really are spooktacular, you're right!
Oh, I haven't been to visit in so long. Love the 20 year rule! great idea. I guess I've played with that concept before, but not in such specific terms. Great idea because time sure does fly.
– The Tablescaper
I am a homeschooling mom of three and my house often feels like a house of horrors…thanks for the kind reminder about what matters I really like your 20 year reminder…I need more of that….my oldest is Kindergarden and I often think of in 5 years even how much will change….life happens to fast…glad you enjoyed your day….